In networking seminars, classes and sales conferences around the world, people are told some version of "if you get rejected by someone, ask them for a referral

In networking seminars, classes and sales conferences around the world, people are told some version of "if you get rejected by someone, ask them for a referral." This has never worked for me when dating. (After being rejected, I don't recall saying, "I know you aren't interested in me, but do you have any friends that are?") I've never really understood why people think this works in a business context. It doesn't happen explicitly, but a lot of the time, a person who's already in a relationship (i.e. who will reject the suitor for non-personal reasons) will refer attractive singles to friends. If a VC rejects me, I'm going to assume that I'm not offering what he's looking to invest in, because the "VCs invest in people, not projects" line is wrong and it's legitimate and expected that a VC will reject people who aren't in his domain. If he refuses to refer me, on the other hand, to someone who might be looking to invest in my project, I'm going to recognize that his ability to judge talent is nil.