EXACTLY Keith! I think it is pretty much as I said - a situational pedanticism, but a certain predisposition to pedantry must be "inbred" in the first place.
It is the way I was taught, and the way I will always be. Pedantry does NOT equate to rigidity!
Every pedantic pilot I have met or flown with knew his/her stuff inside out, and was then capable of making an informed decision as a situation arose.
My pet peeve concerns pilots that decide to raise flaps / clean up after landing whilst still on the runway... that's when you need a cane!