Its diminishing returns. You will be hard pressed to notice the difference between a £20 chain and a £40 one. Buy the lowest priced “performance” chain, will be just as good once it’s covered in mud and grime.
Has your mate (you) slept with this girl yet? Or is he still on the tell me your life stories and go for dinners stage? It makes a difference, to some.
I know the feeling as all my old racing/riding buddies have faded away. I suppose they might have realized there where more important things in life than riding a bike in the mud/ice/snow/rain*. Can’t think what though. perhaps we should start a thread on that?