Much has been written on email etiquette. Great stuff like blog.42floors.com/email-introduction-protocol/.
But everyone assumes:
1. The introducer wants the two parties to meet.
2. Both parties want to meet.
But what if this isn't the case.
Let's say a fried of mine (Jim) asks for an intro with my mentor. And either (a)My mentor says he doesn't want to meet Jim. Or (b) I think it's a waste of time for my mentor to meet Jim.
What do I say to Jim? Tell Jim my mentor is busy? Say "I'll check with my mentor," and not. Is it my job to play gatekeeper for my mentor? Or to repay Jim for the intros he's given me (by asking mentor if he has time for Jim)?