Generations of men and women have made many of their best friends from people they had met at stamp clubs. Shared interest is one of the preconditions of becoming friends. It gives you a basis to start conversations and a pleasant fallback when things get dull. Stories of stamps that you have and how you got them have always been a mainstay of philatelic conversation, and many collectors have told me that the companions that they made from their hobby have been their best livelong friends.
This is another thing that the Internet has changed. Access 24-7 to people with similar interest online has been a boon to all of us, but it has meant the increasing demise of local groups where people actually get together face to face to talk about things. Stamp clubs have withered liked most social clubs, but “virtual intimacy” is a misnomer. One can feel connected online, but the shades of closeness are quite pale compared to actually being in the presence of people you like.