never said it was negative. But it's indeed manipulation. Because I or anyone might do what the friend asks, because it is your friend.
I'm not saying it's wrong or not natural. It manipulates what you would have done otherwise tho.
Perhaps we're just not on the same page as to what "manipulative" means then - it definitely has a negative meaning to me. Or Google:
Manipulative: "characterized by unscrupulous control of a situation or person."
Unscrupulous: "having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair."