+1, Shopping! Achdus among the Jewish people keeps this world running smoothly. Just imagine how creaky and rusty it’s gotten in the last couple thousand years….
I think that you’re doing fine to interact with what people see as “different” Jews. You seem like a strong individual who isn’t easily peer-pressured; they can’t make you change your lifestyle and they are probably glad that you aren’t just there to “mekarev” them or otherwise try to change emtheirem lifestyle.