If you're referring to subtraction with regrouping, I'm not sure why you're calling the standard algorithm grotesque. However, I do know that many folks without a solid understanding of mathematics and how its pieces fit together often mistakenly believe that the standard methods are somehow bad and should not be taught. There is a LOT of misinformation out there.
Well I do have "a solid understanding of mathematics and how its pieces fit together" and so
inevitably I "believe that the standard method"
of subtraction as it is taught in the USA is "bad and should not be taught".
People who are ignorant of the other methods for multi-digit subtraction actually believe that gratuitously complicated nonsense such as "Regrouping Across Zeros" is necessary to be able to do all multi-digit subtractions. Somehow this ridiculous method has become entrenched in the US educational system for the past several decades, and too many people can't or won't see how bad it is.
