TBF. It's not easy to build up a set of friends that you enjoy having a friendly game with (with a little chat), especially as a newbie.
It's not that much fun playing alone all the time.
Also, playing games of Blitz etc. against randoms until someone want to be your friend is a harduous process.
IMO You want a set o 20 friends that play often and where you can almost guarantee a few will be available to play at the times you play. I selected mine mainly from posting good stuff on forums, and the occasional Alt Shot.
Playing randoms just opens you up to abusers and quiters.
What's the effort on rejecting an invite?
I would love to play Bollox in a game some point in the future. While this may be true, I have no desire to be his friend. I have less desire to be so, if he come over all superior and cliquey about it.