Foo, then why does the "newcomers welcome", and "Story focused - no cutscene skipping" options exist in party finder? I found the party finder long before the last dungeon. While I can accept some may not have it's certainly an option for many. The issue is that it's used very little for anything other than experienced only groups of farming groups. The learning groups are normally only for very hard content not regular dungeons.

I didn't lose my empathy Foo. I joined a first timer for a Quarn run that he set up in duty finder last week. We explored all the area's and got all the chests. There was nothing in it for me but enjoying seeing this player enjoy his first run (i guess it was just fun for me too). I invited the player to my linkshell which is dedicated to helping people find a patient and considerate group, particularly for first time runs. Another player was shouting in Mor Dohna for a first time Castrum Run. I invited them to my shell, but unfortunately couldn't get a group together as everyone in my FC, and 3 linkshells was busy (out of my control). I asked them if they'd like me to join in duty finder, but they preferred not to. I am always happy to help any new player. Since 2.8 and forever more, I'll be setting my party finder search criteria for story focused, slow and easy, newcomers welcome and they'll have a white mage so long as I'm on and not in a group already. I really think this is the best option for new players (far better than making cutscenes mandatory for all) and hope square can improve this area and make it more apparent to casual / new players (see my suggestions in OP). Just so you know, I have done about 3 speedruns ever. I don't enjoy them at all - this being about me losing empathy is way off.

I was actually inspired by one of your own posts back along to enter duty finder and reclaim it for noobs. I'm a healer and I would stay back with any new player while they watched the cutscenes. I still would, but I'll no longer start to harass the other players telling them they are selfish for not waiting. If I can I'll encourage the group to wait for the player, if most aren't willing and can carry on regardless, I can respect that decision and will simply wish the new player the best (offer assistance after if on my server).

I'm not talking about letting the new players get bullied into skipping scenes and rushing through. I'm talking about dealing with the situation in the best way and not judging others.

If the cutscenes were mandatory then players would not get a group for days... some new players would rather just get the clear than queue for days. Don't you see that? If you keep queuing and helping out other new players I am totally supporting that, but I won't support anyone who'll guilt and harass players who decide they aren't happy to do the run slowly (also I won't support players who guilt and harass players to speed up).