I learned a million years ago, at my dad's side.
At first, it was only at the range. AND, only under heavy supervision. Later, at 14, I took a firearms safety class. Then, a hunter's safety class. All while my dad still taught me more than the basics.
My first was a .22 over 20 gauge shotgun. Dad only ever let me shoot the .22. One week, I remember it well, he said, Sunday, we're going out, and her showed me a brand new box of 20 gauge shells. Slugs all. Not buckshot.
Later, I would learn other weapons. But I will always remember that .22 over 20. Its funny, those people are mostly gone. Dad, his friends, etc. But id look back and remember the camaraderie, around the firepit, late at night, at the camp. As you say, giving, taking, shooting the shit.
Clearly you get what I'm talking about and have had similar experiences. It happens around other activities also, not just firearms, and I've has such great experiences in many. I got the same feeling when I was playing American Football.
I think that .22 - o/20ga sounds like a decent firearm to start with and I can imagine how it would have been for you shooting slugs for the first time. I used to use a 12ga under and over for my back up when wild pig hunting and used it a few times...brutal but fun.
Imagine, as a kid, always shooting the .22?
Then, suddenly, the 20 ga.!!!
From that day forward, my shoulder completely understood when my dad was telling me, "seat the butt firmly"
One must teach one's shoulder a lesson with a shotgun at some point, earlier the better. Getting it wrong only happens once, usually.
So very true!