I'll agree sometimes it's a bit like Hobson's choice, knackered, no matter which way you go.
But I definately always think that bonding the joints thro is the way to go.
I find clients are far more inclined to ignore the odd small'ish cut if they like the look of everything else.
And when u walk in to a room and the first thing u see is a floor nicely aligned with the back wall, typically the window wall, they're so impressed with what they see, they barely see anything else!
Cos let's be honest if you're greeted with that as a first impression, it instantly tells you that the jobs been thought about professionally.
Totally get what you're saying about tiles on their short side being exactly half of the length of their long side, yeah you can be pretty stuffed.
But not always.
You can always tighten the floor joint half a mil and open the wall joint half a mil, that kinda thing.
So if u are stuffed, in that instance I'll still line the floor with the back wall as you go in, so it looks like they start at the door and finish at the ceiling.
That's what impresses I feel.
Then on the side walls I'll break the bond completely, won't even try and get it to work.
I feel it's better to have a total broken bond as appossd to almost getting it, but not.
That makes it look like u've tried to bond the walls and floors but failed.
If u completely break the bond, then it's obvious that it's deliberate!
Good setting out is, for me, one of the most important aspects of the job.
It shows u care and take pride in your work, and if a client thinks you care, then other little miss demeanours get ignored, cos they actually believe u care as much as they do.
Not always the case obviously
but often.
Full tile at the door is great, not always achievable tho,
and to be blunt, ain't about what u like, it's what's best for the client!