@sardonicsmile You know it's funny you say that I remember my dad telling me that and thinking:
"what a bitter boomer, thinking everything is transactional."
While I've seen a few exceptions I can't help but agree.
It's kind of sad but I used it to my advantage back in the day.
Being the go to guy/connector for people and bartering skills is a great way to grow a social circle of useful people.