Interesting point comparing us with doctors. The article didn't mention 'Doctor at a party' syndrome though... In the same way that doctors who admit their profession at a social event can be badgered by other guests for free medical advice, we can be badgered about their home pc problems.

Best example from personal experience is 11pm in a bar holding a tray full of drinks when some guy went back to his car, retrieved his broken portable printer with the expectation that I would fix it their and then (in the bar, with no software or equipment to hand whatsoever). When they guy asked me where he could put his printer for me to fix, I almost told him to turn around and.... you can guess the rest. But I didn't, I told him to wait till working hours and bring it to me then. He wasn't happy, I wasn't happy. And yes I get this a lot.

Other IT colleagues have told me that at a social event never to admit that I work in IT... Good advice I think!