"No Strings Attached," a defense mechanism.

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When I went for a Baccalaureate Study, I stayed in a boarding house near the university. I tried my very best to be as friendly as possible to my boardmates so that everything will be smooth, nice and easy for all of us. I shared them my food, my things, and even my money. This is what I usually do to meet new friends, to be true and transparent. But only to find out later that they are talking behind my back. Some comments and criticisms I thought they would never say because when I am around they seem so good and nice. I was hurt. But from then on, whenever I meet new people I tend to be reserved and would not mingle with them that much. I talk, chat and became civil to them but not to the point of being close to them as I did in the past. Intentionally I did it to prevent myself from being hurt once more. I did it as a defense mechanism. I'd rather be a cold blooded individual to them than to be warm and friendly but betrayed at the end. I also did this so that only those who will try to really know me no matter how reserved I am are the true friends I will have. But a friend of mine thought that this is being coward. She believes that making friends is great. If you get hurt charge it to experience. When you get hurt you will learn a lot and it will make you a stronger person. Do you think this mechanism is cowardice?