I think the game is still full of people who have no real interest in it long term. FFXIV:ARR is still the newest MMO of note after all, and so a large portion of the user base are just daisy hoppers with no vested interest in the health of the economy or forming lasting relationships with other players. It's a rat race to complete the hardest content / get the best gear / make the most gil and I suppose that's where the WoW vibes come from.

If there is going to be a proper community for this game, then you will probably see it start to flourish once TESO launches and many of those players move to that. The player base will thin out substantially but hopefully what we are left with is an actual community. Just have to give it time.