Oh it was more organic than that in my case, we were playing an older game in the same room and I didn't even know I had chat windows until like two months in. I only played with her and she was right there. I didn't figure it out until she got after me for logging in and not saying anything to her guild...they thought it was rude. I was like...guild? Lol, I told you I was horrible at it. After that I guess I misrepresented myself, I never really thought about it like that.

Anyway just imagine having that "it felt really good" in real life, every day 24/7. Sounds like good motivation to turn it off and get to work to me.

I play WoW as well.. And I have since pre-release, even.
Mainly a Hordie, I've got ten characters on my main server, and seven on my second. Three 80s, now, all decked in purples.
And I play.. Well; about four to an absolute maximum of ten per week...
So yes; WoW is a game you can play pretty successfully for just a few hours, and then leave it be. Of course; I'm not into heavy PvP or raiding, and I don't care all that much for achieving anything.. I just want to have fun, and chat with friends. WoW happens to be that game for me.

I do always make sure I carry my weight in groups, though. (I prefer the guardian and healer roles.)

I had a level 45 tauren and the economy got kind of pissy before the first expansion release.

So I quit playing. 

I picked up Guild  Wars for a while...  Cool and the price was right...

Since then I have played Star Trek Online, City of Heroes, and now currently playing  Dungeon & Dragon Online.  Did not like STO, and CoH was kind of lame, but D&DO is cool and you can play for free...  the best way.

D

Economy usually depends on your server, how you play it, and of course when an expansion releases but that soon changes. There's actually huge perks when an xpac releases for the economy.

I'm not sure if I'll play another MMO when I decide to quit WoW, though. I like the atmosphere of MMOs, but I've yet to find one that I think could replace WoW.