There are friendly and helpful peopel all around. The key though is detecting them, getting them on your friends list or linkshells. Just start a linkshell and those that you enjoy spending time with add them on one or better both.

As for FCs if you see recruitment shouts talk to the recruiter, explain what you are looking for - it might not work most of the time but sometimes they will be honest enough to say how it is. And just turn down blind invites, they aren't worth it ever.