This thread is a fantastic example of everything that's wrong with the FFXIV official forums. I think there are as many mudslinging posts here as there are actual substantive replies.

My .02: I don't feel that reaching max level should ever be considered any sort of achievement. That's true for traditional RPGs/MMORPGs, let alone one like FFXIV where we about 20 classes to consider. I consider excessive focus on levels to be a gameplay problem, not a merit - the game should be fun, and the only thing levels should be for is to help give the player a baseline as to what content they are are capable of doing.