scratching my head (Gimli and Legolas)

[the phantom]

(I'm sure there has to already be a thread about this, but I didn't find one. Then again I'm lazy and didn't try too hard.)

Why weren't Legolas and Gimli pals to begin with? They should've seen each other plenty before Rivendell. Think about it. Legolas is an elf from Mirkwood, Gimli is a dwarf from the Lonely Mt. The dwarves and elves in that region not only traded, but got along well. I recall a quote from near the end of The Hobbit- "..and there was friendship in those parts between elves and dwarves and men."

Those elves and dwarves got along well. Gimli wasn't a ruler, but he was fairly important (because of his relations), and we all know Legolas was son of the king, so it seems very natural that these two would have met on several occasions, likely social events.

Why, when all the circumstances pointed towards good, if not excellent, feelings between their peoples, would the two of them not demonstrate an instant bond of friendship, or at least respect?