Your local xjws were your friends before because they had to be. They were kind of like family-you were stuck with them. They may or may not have been people you would ever have chosen to be around. And you saw their cult side and maybe that memory taints them to you a bit.
Honestly, here there are people whose personalities attract me and there are others who repel me. I can associate or seek out the folks that I like.Just like in real life. And, I don't have to pretend to be buddy buddy with those who just leave me flat (or piss me off).