I don't want to join a Free Company because...

Typically, it's a result of antisocial behavior. I'm often guilty of such feelings, so I speak from some past experience. Sometimes, it just feels like a hassle (maybe even a bother for others) to acknowledge people when they log in. Be it you feeling obligated to say "hi" or feeling that way to reply to someone saying "hi". In some games, it can be because people are altaholics and feel like logging out often causes spam for their guild. Silly, I know, but that's how it can be. Guilt or annoyance can be quite a driving force with these things.

If there's a way around being social, antisocial behavior will often win-out these days. Despite what I said prior, an obvious reason why is because there's a popular outlook that fun is correlated to speed. That MMORPGs are solely to be played by getting things ASAP, not about establishing connections with other players to enjoy content with. That the idea of getting better in these games, is dictated by the gear you wear, not the experience you obtain. And anyone who causes even a second of deterrence from that idea is bad.

I'm not in one currently, joining one is a very low priority for me atm. I'll find one to join eventually but I've got so much to do right now that I really don't need the added drama, liabilities and expectations that guilds/fc's tend to bring. Also there's no way I'm joining an FC that invites me out of the blue or after chatting with someone for a minute randomly while waiting for the next fate to start. When I find an FC to run with I want one that doesn't admit anyone who will click yes on the invite.

i joined the first FC that invited me...never bothered going out of my way to join one and ignored random shouts.
as for why one might NOT join an FC: commitment.
if you join an FC you may think, correctly or not, that you will have a certain duty to that FC, that if you join it might preclude you from joining a BETTER FC later (or make it awkward) or you might just feel there is no reason.

Put simply. For every 20 nice, intelligible people...there are 5 more that come with them who are meme spewing, internet leet speak talking, maturity level of a 10 year old annoyances. I just got sick of putting my own guild members on ignore to enjoy the atmosphere of the others.

Well for starters im somewhat antisocial so that is one reason its tough for me to get started with a new FC and get to know people, its kind of stressful putting yourself out there trying to meet people. But my plan was to wait it out at least a few weeks and see which FCs were going to be serious and seem like one that was going to be in it for the long haul. But Im also looking for one that is more mid core or "casually hardcore" and the one I had my eye on is no longer recruiting.

Just waiting to find the right one and not get stuck in a bad or poorly run FC and have to look all over again.

I'm also not in any FC atm. If you read some of the posts in this forum you know the quality (or lack of) of the players in this game. I simply don't want to associated myself with those type of people.

It's a matter of finding a FC that fits you also. I've declined afew invites cause they been just that just thrown at me with no pm or someone asking if i want to join, at least ask if i would like to join.

For me, it would be a matter of trust. That, and if I wanted drama, I'll go poke at my family members.

I have only one character in an FC/LS and that is because I have come to trust, and feel comfortable with, said people in my FC.

I'm not in one yet because I literally do not know another soul in any capacity that plays this game. In my circle of friends who play video games, I'm the only RPG nerd. I get off on grinding. It is most likely some sort of psychological issue. In any case, I would like to join a free company, but it's hard to gauge intentions and personality from the online listing, and impossible from the pop-up bubble during an in-game invite. I don't care about the size of the FC, I just want to be a part of a bunch of like-minded individuals, which is to say, a lot of levity and silliness, an emphasis on the casual, but not at the expense of understanding the game. When I find that, I will join one. Until then, Montucky is going it solo.

My reason for not joining a FC is a very personal one, and a little selfish too.

Firstly, in any guild I find myself getting too competitive. I start racing to get to the next level and can get into the cycle of playing more like a job. When I solo I'm just more chilled, less goal orientated but I feel more relaxed, which is why I'm playing the game.

I love gathering and with two gathering skills and cooking closing in on level 40 I am enjoying the whole trade aspect of the game. I'm over 300,000 Gil and it feels fun to have a healthy balance. The selfish bit is that I know in a FC I'll be under pressure to sell-cheap or give gathered/crafted stuff to other players. To be honest I don't mind this to some point, but there is a point where it can become a drain on time and game finances that I'd rather avoid.

TL;DR There's no rush to join a guild, I'll do so when I understand better what I want from the game and have achieved my personal objectives at my own pace.