I grew up racing motorcycles....I'm looking to buy to socialize with friends....they all say soft tail...the only soft tail i have ever ridden was not a harley....

Good music on the stero, the rumble of the pipes, the vibration of the Harley vtwin motor and a hottie riding behind you. It's better than foreplay.  
Soft tail is a young mans bike. You will enjoy something like a street glide much more especially if you take trips of any distance.

You can't poll a forum to find out what kind of Harley you need.  I ride a Road King but that doesn't mean you should.  Get your butt over to the Harley dealer and sit of a few and see what you like.  Frankly, if you are polling a board, your approach is wrong.  Also don't buy one to fit in, buy what you want.  End of rant.