They could be trying to get the tickets to convert them to cash
They may be trying to get more land or improve their rating, which requires more stuff
I am on two platforms, and one is further along than the other... I.e. Just finished the chipper
Sometimes folks might just want a break from the visuals
I don't know about you but I have had times when my preferred device (iPad) was broken, and I could not play (except on my iPhone) for over a month, and it was during Valentines, and I am glad my neighbors were patient. There are some people who I think about dropping, but you just never know.
So depending upon which user id of mine you are friends on, you might not like the style or approach to my game play and/or strategy, but it's my gameplay. The point of having diversity of neighbors, is to help you think about how you might want to lay out a building or create an illusion. If all your friends are just like you, kinda makes a boring neighborhood don't cha think?
Makes sense?