Very interesting!
We ran into some car trouble in May, and used it as an excuse to interrupt our attendance at the Baptist church we'd been part of for almost 3 years. We had already been talking about leaving, so it was the natural progression of things for our family. During that time, we visited and subsequently moved to another church, just down the street from our house.
I see people from our old church often,when I am out in public. They do not shun me or pretend they don't see me. They might have some hurt feelings or misunderstanding about our leaving, but they are happy to stop and talk with me. I have not been ex-communicated or marked. I even spoke to a board member from the church just yesterday. They were "curious" why so many people were leaving, and had already assumed it was just the car trouble. I didn't add any information, since they didn't actually ask.
This is not true of the people from the KH we attended. Even though we were not baptized, the "friends" who loved us so much, see right through me. They will actually respond if I speak to them first, but I literally have to make big gestures to get their attention. I can't tell if they just go through life with blinders on, or if they are intentionally avoiding making eye contact. I don't take it personally, but I do find it amusing. I have nothing but compassion and love for the JW's, and will always treat them with kindness and respect. Too bad they are not trained to do the same in return.
It is amusing sometimes, to see how wide their eyes will get... I invited a friend over for dinner "sometime," and she lost all color in her face. That reaction has me wanting to pursue the relationship a little bit more, to see if she will refuse us, or accept a free meal. They gladly accepted the gourmet fruit and treat basket we sent, when her mother died after refusing blood. I feel so sorry for their little girl.