I tend to do this on occassion... but for the below reasons.Mainly for sending tells if Im talking to someone... easier to click the portrait and type the Tell than keep scrolling through the Player List or Conversation box.And what Lynn said above... helps you see where people are... so you can "accidentally" bump into them. ( NOT for use if the people are on Impromptu's or GM quests of course )Used to happen a lot.. I recall once on a Rift Run... it all got kinda panicky dodging Drows.... some of the party were hurt. I then realised my guy is stood there... getting hit and not doing anything... because Id tried to throw a potion at an injured party member... who happened to be on the other side of the island.If you find your off on a bash.... and its getting hectic keeping an eye on who's dying and who's not throughout the list of Players.... a polite Party: // Can anyone not in the Rift/ drinking in the Inn/ Stealing Storold's Golem.... please drop party.
I personally don't mind inviting someone that is across the continent. It lets them see where we are and can "bump" into the rest of the party. It saves me or others from having to send a bunch of tells trying to explain where we are every few minutes. Because that takes my attention off of what I am doing in the battle or rp.
I can see that a large party is not always a good thing. I have been in parties before that where to large for me to enjoy so I would leave. Nothing against the party just wasn't fun for me.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons why one might invite someone who isn't there at the moment, but please have the grace to ask the rest of the party members, and at least make an attempt to have some RP justification... I know I'm not the only one who prefers small parties, so please try to remember when everyone wants their friend to come along, it can ruin things for many of us.