Well, people only talk about the bad experiences with guilds. I have recently joined two guilds in my area. Both were welcoming to my friend and I, we were encouraged to join the swaps. I was able to take a Carol Doak workshop at one of them only a few months after joining and had a great time with the ladies there. I also belong to a weavers guild. I am a member of long standing, but we make it a point to welcome visitors and I personally take the time to chat with a newcomer as do several other members. I have also belonged to a knitters guild where I was also made welcome by the members, most of who were much more skilled than I was.
I don't think all guilds are unfriendly, I have never had a bad experience with a guild or any other interest group I have visited. Maybe we are just friendlier around here.