I can definitely relate to being closer to former colleagues on the other side of us both working at the same company/division/team/whatever. I think it's maybe

I can definitely relate to being closer to former colleagues on the other side of us both working at the same company/division/team/whatever. I think it's maybe that thing like when you run into someone you went to camp or high school or whatever with in a foreign city— even if you weren't that close at the time, it's a jumping off point for bypassing that flirtatious pre-friendship stage where you don't actually talk about much of anything, and get right to the good stuff (and no, not just talking about romantic relationships; a lot of friendships start this way too, and many never leave it).