I find this a common occurrence in some other countries too. People who are called close friends are more of a formal obligation of having close friends. I have some of my family living in Europe for a while now and they have shared their experiences with me.

We knew a couple from Germany, to whom my family became close to. After the wife died the poor guy was literally left alone in the world. Frankly I never made the effort but my sister is still in touch with them. It is a bit sad to see it happen but this world is a strange place. We never know when or to whom or how we are going to connect to somebody. Maybe a close friendship could be struck over a cu[p of coffee and Pavlova :-)