I was brought up as a Witness from the age of 4 years old, right through until I got 'the boot' at the age of 26. I had grown up with people the same age as me and they became very good 'friends', untilt the minute I got disfellowshipped. I haven't spoken to a good majority of those people for over 12 years now, and I don't know how I feel about it. A number of my friends were also disfellowshipped and we have a chat, and a laugh, about the good old days, but do talk about the people that shun us and how it must be awkward for them when they see us in the street, especially given that when we see them we always smile and say hello! In some ways it's quite amusing to see them get so embarrassed and look away not knowing what to do.
I agree that with some people it will play on their minds that they have known you, well in my circumstance, for over 20 years and then all of a sudden they are told to cut you off without even a goodbye. However, there will also be some who will be quite haughty about it and look down on you for no longer being in the 'Truth' and will take some delight in thinking they are better than you. It's all quite sad really.