Hearing Your linux journey was like hearing someone read mine aloud. Though, my journey started a few years before yours. The win98/ME migration was my nudge to look into alternate operating systems. Like you, most of the communities I have encountered have been very friendly and helpful, I've not delved into the ARCH world, but have encountered that type attitude elsewhere. Eletism exists everywhere, how we react to it is up to us. 

That aside, welcome to one of the best communities on the web.