Stair Steppin

Caught this on a HD TV ad today. I know wood look tile needs a specific off set but damn its ugly.

 

Won't the joint strength be compromised with such a short stagger?
How does a guy do a good looking random with such a short tile................ 18 or 24 inches?

 

Hate doing wood look tile just because of the curl and 20% off set. Seen some real toe stubbers out there.

 

I've seen that in stone looking tiles too. 12 X 24's at a local bank. How come after a million years of tile making can't they figure out how to make a flat tile?

 

Chinese crap no doubt.