the best way to find new friends to share a common goal like exping together. Try to join a party in Uldah.

You got the right idea get yourself into a linkshell they will be your family in the game. Do everything for/with your linkshell. Ask the LS first if anyone wants to exp. People tend to ignore a /s or /sh as you would a stranger on the street . Shouting should be reserved for quickly forming a party for ether exp or primal fights.