Same experience in the UK. I shut down facebook for a while a couple of years ago. Net result? I found myself getting invited to fewer social events. Basically, you make yourself a PITA for all your friends and acquaintances[1]. As much as I dislike facebook, for now, leaving really isn't a viable option.

[1] Granted, this may be age group specific. My friends tend to be 30-40-somethings, or late 20s at the youngest. Not so surprising, given I'm in my early 40s.