I don't mind strangers

While writing this, I think I may have stumbled across the answer in my head...

I'm an ISTP and I don't mind interactions with strangers, in fact, I quite like it at times. But I realized that it has to be under certain condition. For example, I like to go as solo to golf courses and get matched with others. It's been nothing but a blast with 3 other randoms except for this one chain-smoker I got paired with. I guess it's in a shared activity environment and this is probably the reason I like it so much.

I also love people watching. I don't mind when I'm approached or there would be instances where I would make a friendly comment with someone that's going by if something would happen near by.

I long to hang out with friends, even the distant ones. Maybe because I've been deprived of social life for a while now?

I understand and somewhat relate to the need to be alone etc, but not to the extent some of the stereotypical comments here would say. Maybe I have matured (36M)? How do you really feel about "other people"? I truly can't believe that it would just be "I hate them".