I agree with your positive advice for new people here:
you SOCIALIZE. You bring a token gift. You introduce yourself one on one whenever you can. You LISTEN a lot. You mingle. You compliment (upvote) and comment on OTHER'S conversations. In short, you slowly endear yourself to the community and befriend people.
This should be required reading for new members. This site is worth belonging to, and there is a way to get along here. People need to listen and learn.