Here's one simplistic way of looking at this type of thing: You're in class, or on the job, and you're trying to get something done. Your classmate, or cowork

Here's one simplistic way of looking at this type of thing: You're in class, or on the job, and you're trying to get something done. Your classmate, or coworker, comes up and says, "Have you thought about doing it this way?" You poke around for a while, maybe with some help from them, and lo and behold, it works! You are grateful and don't mind sharing the credit. Next month, you're working on something else. After busting your hump for a week, you figure out a way to make it work. Another classmate, or coworker, comes up -- or better yet, pipes up during the next status meeting: Oh, I thought of that! (Let me share in some of your glory.) You don't feel very grateful towards that prick. The leach didn't do anything for you; they just want to sponge off of your effort. (And you are probably questioning whether they really did what they claim, regardless of their lack of help.)