XIV is my first ever MMO experience, and I'm psyched about it. I've played the beta since Phase 3 (thanks for the code EoFF!), and had a blast. It's a great RPG so far with an absorbing story and addictive gameplay.
But...I could write that last sentence about XII, or X, or VII, or Tales of Vesperia, or...you get my drift. This game is an MMO, which seems to suggest a certain level of social interaction. Yet, thus far, that seems to consist of:
1. Laughing at other players' funny character names and/or lack of clothes;
2. Partying with friends and/or strangers to tackle dungeons;
3. Watching other people shout stuff in the text box;
4. Buying and selling stuff maybe? I haven't really done that.
In other words, 97% of the time, other players are just bodies clogging up the screen of what otherwise functions as a solo game. Am I doing it wrong? What are some recommendations for taking positive advantage of the social nature of this game?