My question is basically this...

With your gameplay, how much do your in-game friends influence it?

I'm really curious about this. I myself cannot go by without them. Just today, one of my friends gave me a discount for an IL 350 weapon. There was no way I could've afforded it on the market board. He sold it to me for barely 60% of the market board price.

I've had a friend give me 150,000 Gil even though I only asked for 50k. Lol.

This is an MMO after all. Socialization and friendship is indispensable.