Try to be nice, polite, "a friend" and all that. Realize you're not getting anything out of it and stand not to gain anything from it but do it anyway because you're an upright type of person, because if you have to ask a favor you can bet the world will paint its ass white and run with the fucking antelopes, leaving you high and dry without a fucking answer for longer than you can afford to wait. People are really quick to pick up the phone when you're calling them back to do them a favor they ask for but bugger-all when you call to ask one in return.
Welcome to asshole nation, I guess.