It’s common in states that have a lower population center, geographically. I’m in Minnesota, and our Twin Cities are in the southern third of the state.
“Going up north (to the cabin)” is our spin on “upstate”, because (for most people) there isn’t much of a reason to go much more north than we already do.
What’s the difference between befriending someone who’s worse off than you who works in the same building vs someone off the street? Your ability to help them is ~ the same, but you could give them a person to talk to.
They’re not aliens, or pets to be taken care of. If a grown-ass man wants to chat with another grown-ass man about something mutually interesting to both, then why bring prerequisites into the equation?
Now, if it’s a “we hang out every single night and discuss finances and aspirations and such” situation, sure, I can see a disconnect if the higher-up person doesn’t try to help, but your comment almost sounds like a internet-fueled caste system when taken too literally.