Gaming Comaraderie

For all the steriotypes video games get for fostering anti-social behavior, I have to say I've never felt a quicker connection with someone then when I'm gaming with them. Ok, that sounds really lame, so let me explain. When you sit next to someone on a bus or in a class, talking to them always feels awkward. I'd like to think I'm a pretty social guy, but I admitt I've pretended to send text messages many a time while stuck next to someone I don't know. But no matter how awkward it feels to be in that position, once you have something to connect on, conversation is the most natural thing in the world. Like for instance, your in a crowded elevator and someone makes a joke. After that, everyone feels much more comfortable talking, and the awkwardness goes away. I was just playing an online game (galcon, it's my biggest weakness) with a coulple random people. During one game, me and another guy ended up as allies, and after winning the round, we started chatting as if we had known each other for years. This is probably the most random post I'll put up for a while, but the situation just struck me. I can remember times where I've been paired with someone in arcade games, or played halo at a party with people I'd never met, and I can't think of a time when I didn't finish the play-session without learning the person's name and recalling them fondly. I guess gaming is just a great equilizer, and really the same things can be said about sports. Have you ever thrown a frisbee with someone and come away hating them? Have you ever had a conversation with someone in an MMO and then gotten their facebook? Maybe I'm just going crazy (it is almost 4 afterall), but I'd love to hear any stories you've got on the subject.