giving and receiving favors

I remember in Godfather, "Favors can only be traded."

In my daily life, I find it is easier for me to give favors to others than to receive ones from others.

At work and in my professional circles, I find I can only trade
"favors" with my so-called friends. An unobligated favor to
my professional "friends" is not only never returned but often
is a time-bomb.