Excellent post, but I wouldn't have distilled quite the same catch phrase -- "You don't get shit you don't ask for" -- from that anecdote. It's more like, "When someone offers you help, take them up on it."
Except the general principle of "you don't get what you don't ask for" is true and encompasses your thoughts. Whether it is an introduction to a highly visible CEO or a conference you want to attend for work, if you don't ask, it isn't going to happen. I would argue that even if they didn't offer specifically to help (but didn't make it clear that they don't want to be annoyed by you :), if you think they can help, ask them.
This is a philosophy I've lived by for many years. The only time you need to worry is when the person you are asking is passive-aggressive. They may never give you an indication you are asking too much, while you are unknowingly destroying your relationship with them.
That risk certainly isn't just restricted to passive-aggressive people.
It's an issue with a lot of people from more polite cultures or higher context cultures than your own. They likely are giving indications of their discomfort. Unfortunately askers are usually oblivious to those indications and barrel on ahead anyway.
