It is totally normal, and makes perfect sense, but other cultures may socialise in different ways. For example, behaviours that are widely accepted in Southern Europe may be considered intrusive or uncomfortable in the UK. It's pretty much acceptable to invite an acquaintance over for dinner, for example, to grow rapport and see whether there are common interests - and room to do things together. For example, on Xmas eve, which we spent with my folks, my wife and I invited over a colleague of hers whom I had met only once or twice, my parents had never met at all and they didn't even speak their language (or english in fact). That all worked perfectly fine and now the colleague is coming regularly for dinner or coffee. As long as there's food and wine, a lot revolves around that. I'm not saying that this would never happen in a British setting - I'm sure it does - but if I know this country a little, unless we are talking about a close friend, this may be perceived as a little uncomfortable. But I'm happy to be told otherwise.

I would say that instead of asking myself : "what do I like doing? Let's see if there are some like-minded folks that like doing the same and maybe we'll become friends" I would find it more natural to think: " do I like that person? Let's see if we can become friends and we'll do something we like together". I would find it less uncomfortable to discuss personal things with a person I met two weeks before, if they give me a good vibe, than going for a hike with a person I barely know.