It's a really big think question but I'd say a part of is the fact that it's a game, which lets us try out things that we normally wouldn't think of otherwise. I've tried playing a female in the game (since the game gives a fantasia for free with its CEs) and I found it to be really interesting.

We make jokes about many characters looking the same in game so from an outsider's perspective (I was a male midlander at the time) trying out being a female miqo, was something I found pretty neat. Seeing how the armor looks on a different body type and just seeing how all of their emotes and poses works.

I'll probably stick with male characters as they're something I'm more used to, but I'd always be down for trying different races when promotions come in for more fantasia. I'd say if the game gives you the option (for free or at an extremely reduced rate) to try something new like a new race/gender/ or even both just take it and try it. It's something you can say you tried over being left out a discussion.