This is actually common in many other cultures and I wish it was more normalized in general US culture.

That being friendships where there is no need for a reason to hang out besides the company.

I live in NYC and I have some select friends who also grew up culturally outside the US and we do this:

If I asked them what they were up to, they’d say something like “going to the barbershop for a haircut”, “doing laundry at the laundromat”, or other errands.

I would then ask to tag along and maybe say a thing or two from time to time, but for the most part I’m doing something parallel to them.

Usually I’m reading a book, checking my phone, watching Netflix, working on my laptop etc.

It’s great.

There’s no need for an excuse to be with these friends.

We just enjoy each other’s company.