All of the above I agree with... but also, it's something that relatively speaking, not many people achieve (a PPL and the ability to fly an aircraft solo, that is) - there is (to me) a certain something in being able to say I can fly / hold a pilot's license. Elitist maybe (criticise me if you like) but I bet you all love it when non-flyers discover you are a pilot.
Then again I just love climbing out of my home airfield and looking at everyone on the ground getting smaller! "Here I am, flying a plane" - indescribable pleasure! So not just an aviation snob after all...