Recently I asked my network through LinkedIn: "What are the visible attributes of a 'Nasty Networker?'"

Over 30 people responded through LinkedIn (others replied via e-mail, but I've not included their responses in this post). I encourage you to read the complete question and all of the answers here.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this list. You were all incredibly helpful!

I've boiled the answers down into some common categories ranked by the frequency of their appearance

Signs of a Nasty Networker

1. Selfish. Not interested in helping others.
2. Doesn't ask questions. Talks too much.
3. Bashes or otherwise acts inappropriately towards competitors.
4. Uses high pressure and other bad sales techniques.
5. Abuses contact information. Sends spam and other unwanted communication.
6. Ignores business card etiquette.
7. Social climber. Always looking for somebody better to talk to.
8. Not open.
9. Naive and needs education (about proper networking).
10. More interested in the quantity of connections, not their quality.
11. Disrespectful.

In the end I think that "Nasty Networking" is driven primarily by either naivete or desperation. I saw a quote recently that suggested that the selfish type of taker networking is not networking at all, but rather Needworking. My hope is that by sharing this list we can help the naive/needworkers get onto the path of true networking.

As we prepare to launch the first NetworkInAustin.com events it also my intention to not allow any "Nasty Networkers" to attend. Hopefully the education provided in this post will dissuade anyone from taking these approaches so that we're not forced to ask people not to return.

Here are many of the consolidated responses to my question grouped by the categories listed above.

Selfish. Not interested in helping others
"Doesn't try to help at all"
"Selfish and self-interested"   
"In short, a 'Nasty Networker' is self centered and disinterested"
"Uses every opportunity to speak (including thank you's and announcements time) to give a sales pitch for themselves"
"refers less than is referred to him/her (it is ALWAYS better to give than it is to receive)"
"Someone who immediately asks 'who does your ....' (phone, insurance, payroll, office supplies...) instead of saying 'who are YOU?' and getting to know you."
"100% self-focused -- demonstrations may include: usurping your time while at an event asking for "free" business advice; never offering anything in exchange"
"Rude, disrespectful, fast-talking, is not interested in a mutually beneficial relationship, totally dis-interested in you or your needs."
"My main beef regarding a nasty networker is one with the belief that it's all about them"

Doesn't ask questions. Talks too much
"Doesn't ask questions" 
"Talk don't listen"   
"Talking not listening" 
"A 'Nasty Networker' keeps their own interests secret, they listen, and want to 'know', to own, and control."
"talks more than listens"
"Poor listeners."
"Vomitous from the mouth"

Bashes or otherwise acts inappropriately towards competitors
"Steals from competitors"
"Bashing or being condescending towards competing companies or products"
"Talks down about their competition"
"Some of the most memorable "nasty" networkers that I've come across made an (unfavorable) impression because they were publicly trashing a competitor"
"A nasty networker is somebody that comes to an event sponsored by another company and stands next to the host the whole night scarfing their contacts."

Uses high pressure and other bad sales techniques
"They launch into their sales pitch as part of introducing themselves."
"Asks for a one-on-one meeting to get to know you, gives you a sales presentation."
"Asks for a meeting because he/she is interested in YOUR business, gives you a sales presentation."
"if there is no relationship there, I'll go to the internet before I'd go to a pushy salesperson!"
"people will ask you questions about your business at a networking function in a way that seems geared specifically to put you on the defensive--these sort of questions are perfectly appropriate at a pitch meeting or the presentation of a proposal, but I'm not sure a networking event is necessarily the best venue"

Abuses contact information. Sends spam and other unwanted communication
"Uses the majority of all communications (personal interactions, e-mail, blog, twitter etc.) to try to sell you something"
"I've had a couple of nasty networkers that asked for my information and promptly signed me up for their weekly newsletters (or worse, their promotional pieces!) without even the 'great to meet you' email followup to our initial meeting."
"I find especially annoying those who add you to a distribution list without asking"
"Follows up with email/call that is all about the"