There is no welcoming attitude, and the riding is certainly tighter, which is expected. Obviously, the skills are higher, so the close quarters are definitely close. The timing of some of that riding was a little suspect to me, simply because the second lap of a crit that will likely hit 18-20 laps, seemed a bit soon for the intimidation type tactics.
As far as the welcoming attitude, I don't expect to be a best friend to any of them, but this isn't pro racing. More than a few I raced with were tour guys, with one just having his 1 hour national record broken after almost 20 years. The majority of us have never been at that level, so the glares and the attitude can be stowed away, and saved for those that appreciate that type of stuff. Fun is the goal, and though I have high admiration for their achievements, I don't have much appreciation for the games.
That does sound pretty off putting. I did not get that in the stuff I've done here so far or the 45+ stuff back in MABRA.