I don't see why it has to break down in terms of circle of friends. To me it's just a matter of courtesy. If someone has a question about something I'm working

I don't see why it has to break down in terms of circle of friends. To me it's just a matter of courtesy. If someone has a question about something I'm working on, I'd rather them just come to me directly rather than addressing a group of people who may or may not have good information about that thing. So I try to extend the courtesy to others.