Shooting buddies...
When I'm seriously shooting, it's serious practice for me, like practicing a musical instrument or any small motor/fine coordination skill. I don't like to have anyone else at all near me, so I can concentrate on what I'm doing. It's best when the range is completely deserted except for me, but it's OK if the others there will shut up and concentrate on their shooting, and let me concentrate on mine.
When I "go shooting" with someone, it's not practice, and the shooting is not the emphasis--It's a social event.
My range time is relatively scarce--I can afford little of it for social events.
Go ahead, call me a cranky old loner. I've been called worse. And yes, I'm good enough to call the practice "serious." (It ain't braggin' if you can back it up...)