Questions: In general, do you think Bitcointalk.org is a friendly place, and/or would you be really comfortable telling close friends (offline, in the real world) that they should come here and sign up?
Your friend is interested in Bitcoin or things related to digital currency/Crypto, yes, this is a place for your friends to discuss that, it will be easy for them to understand and understand more deeply about all of that, Bitcointalk accepts all groups regardless of race, religion, country, ethnicity and so on, the Bitcointalk forum is the friendliest place in the world with an internet network.
Those who come here can not only discuss and learn about Bitcoin in writing, they can learn face to face via WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other connected social media because they basically meet in this forum, So there are lots of things your friends can learn here, don't hesitate to invite your friends to register here, give them an understanding of how the forum should run with the existing rules, what can be done and what can't be done.