I have a “pending friend request” from someone, my first ever! I’ve never heard of the person and they have no posts at the SDMB but the username refers to an uncommon condition that I happen to have had so I am curious why they have tried to contact me. Any ideas what is up with that? Is it spam?
What are friend requests and what happens if I accept?
spam
If you posted on SDMB about your condition, your name may have been picked up from a search. I vote spam.
Find a better class of friends. Aren’t we your friends? 
Would you mind telling me or someone on staff the name of your friend? (You can do it by PM if you like.) We’ll check into the spam possibility, but it might just be a lurker. Did the person join recently?
The name is pyloric_stenosis_guy. He has zero posts.
In checking this I note that someone else also wants to be my friend. Maybe “friends” is a new feature? Or I’ve suddenly achieved the popularity I’ve always dreamed of?
He’s on the level from what I can tell. He’s been here for a while and just lurks. Please let us know if you get any spam. And not to make you feel unpopular, but I think we turned on the Friends feature as part of the 2008 upgrade.
Catchy handle. Can’t understand why he doesn’t join in the fun?
Thanks Marley. Two friends in one day … I must have struck a cord with some drivel I’ve spouted. Wonder what it was?
Your only friend was a spambot so I figured I’d make you feel better. 
The poor guy just can’t seem to open up…
I’ve had the same request from this same ‘pyloric stenosis guy’. Seems weird given that there’s no reason why he would be wanting to ‘friend’ me.
I always thought YOU were a spambot? 
Ouch.
I feel so left out. I haven’t received a request from him.
[Rodney Dangerfield] I don’t get no respect. Even the spambots ignore me.[/Rodney]
I’m a spam bot too! Just wait, one of these days, when you least expect it, I’m gonna try to sell you Viagra.
Hmm. That’s a bit more suspicious but I’m still drawing a blank on evidence the guy is spamming. Spammers are often one-time visitors; this person registered in March and was active as recently as today. I’ll raise the issue with some other mods. Thank you for adding this.
Of course it’s also possible that he just likes your posts, ianzin.
Could someone explain the logic of bothering to get a username if you aren’t going to post? Is there some feature you get besides posting that might be worth it?
You can look at profiles, like some kind of peeping tom, also, I think you need to be logged into search. Plus on vb boards with attachments you need to be a member to download attachments.
If nothing else being logged in helps track of which threads you’ve read better.
The situation is getting a bit stranger. I have twice declined the ‘friend’ offer, and P S guy apparently just re-sends or re-submits the request. Is it the case that at some point this behaviour becomes tantamount to abuse or wilful annoyance? I have no idea who P S guy is, and have had no other contact or communication, hence see no reason to do the ‘friend’ thing.
Not trying to Mod or anything, but at some point this behaviour would seem to sail close to the ‘Don’t be a jerk’ rule.