When someone uses you as a reference (for a job). . .  

Aren't they supposed to ask first?

This has happened to me on several occasions. The most recent was a friend who, during our conversation, said "oh by the way, I put your name down on my job app. as a reference." (I think most applications ask for a non-work related, non-family reference or something like that.)

Surprised, I just said "oh" and left it alone. I was always taught that if you wanted to use someone as a reference for a job, you ASKED that person first. I thought it was pretty presumptuous of this friend--and another--to just "use" me without asking first.

(FTR, the first friend who sent me a reference form--I just threw that away, as I had no idea that that friend was even LOOKING for a job. This one recently--their intended job never called anyway. But STILL!)

What do you think?