As we add more identity to our characters, people get excited. We finally have a ring for the Gods we chose over 2 yrs ago during the Character Creation screen. We have craft-specific hats which sell like crazy even though they suck for most jobs. Lots of people came back for familiar-looking Dow/DoM jobs over just classes.

Personally, I hated the huge STR loss for being Miqo'te in XI, but it still gave a sense of pride to overcome it. People like that sort of thing. A small racial difference would be nice. Either that, or maybe just racial traits like a bit more range for a miqo'te Archer or something.