Do or did JW teachings bastardize friendships and make them less of value for you?
Absolutely!
I always tried to go out of my way for my friends. I opened my home to them, gave them food/money when they needed it, would be there for them at any time day or night. But let them get df'd and suddenly it couldn't be the same. I always felt bad about it. I always felt that it wasn't right...but you couldn't ever tell anyone you felt that way or thus be shunned and called before the police...er, elders. If the person was still coming to meetings and trying to come back then I would put my hand on their shoulder as they walked by. I'd look to make sure no one was looking and then I'd smile at them or pat them on the back. I wanted them to know they were still loved even though I couldn't talk to them. One of the girls confessed to me later that it had gotten so bad for her that the day they reinstated her she had tried to kill herself!
Since being df'd myself, I have been able to exercise what I believe is the true meaning of friend. I've even experienced it from a couple of folks in the old cong that still talked to me after I was ousted. Those are the ones that I consider friends.