I've only turned down one friend (Mudcatter) request, because I'd never had any previous private communication with this person, and I couldn't figure out why he wanted to be my friend. Also, it was at the height of the Fakebook goings on.

One person I sent a request to sent me a message along the lines of "Do I know you?" I replied, and we're friends. I suppose it helps if the requester adds a bit of a message.

There's at least one person I sent a friend request to (in May) who has neither confirmed nor denied, so I'm in some weird Facebook limbo (is there an app for that?) where I get her newsfeed, but I'm not her friend. It might be a reasonable way to let others in on your doings without giving their friends access to your friends.

I've friend-requested a couple of performers I don't know that well because I like hearing their news, which sometimes includes new recordings or gig announcements.