[logfromblammo]

~Great! Now go buy a house with... green account... from peri-soviet Russia... named "triplewipeass"!~

~No? Some friend you are.~

Stable, low-movement societies are more amenable to deep friendships, as one of the primate-brain requirements is mere proximity. We have to see, speak with, and touch the people who become our friends. Long-distance relationships are weaker and require far more effort--generally only worth it for courting and upkeep of pre-existing friendships.

Military brats whose parents are frequently relocated often have trouble forming lifelong friendships, for instance. College might be their one opportunity to get to know someone well enough to stay friends after graduation, if they can afford to go. And that's just within a handful of closely-related cultures in the same country. Is it so hard to believe for someone with multiple xeno factors? Not speaking mother tongue, possibly with an accent. Not in the culture in which they were raised. Possibly different religion. No mutual acquaintances.