I don't know about this disdain for other players you guys talk about.
Just began playing today and have met 3 different people and non were hostile.
I ran into one guy and we just kind of back stepped away from each other and went separate paths, another guy I saved from some zombies and we traveled for a bit, and one other guy I yelled at him from around a corner and we both came out and agreed to trade with each other.
Am I just lucky or is the hostile player thing a little exaggerated?