Not stupid at all. I think many of us would do the same/similar.
If someone (be they punter or otherwise) shows a genuine interest, willingness to learn and just seems a thoroughly decent human being then I find that you do tend to respond with a warmth, try to help them out and generally go that bit further. There's a bond formed.
It doesn't happen every day but it is, and forgive my soppyness here, quite life affirming and dare I say it beautiful when it does.
I recall the late John Peel once saying about a guy he briefly met in a record shop that the guy was just someone you wanted to sit down and have a cup of tea with. I knew exactly what he meant.