What DID annoy me on the return was the cabin crew blocking off the 1st 8 and last 8 rows, despite the fact it was a BA booked service and people had therefore selected specific seats. It was not done to balance the aircraft - the middle of the plane was chocca with people all forced to sit six-across, for absolutely no reason. I know an aircraft can sometimes need to be balanced with certain loads, but this was not one of them I've ever seen a need for on a BA operated 737
Actually, it is. FR's 737-800's which are a different beast than the older types BA normally operate. It's been explained in greater detail many times over on pprune. The percieved "hard" landings have a lot to do with the power in those models - though I don't doubt FR's flight crews do push sometimes to get down and get to gate. Force of habit, I'm sure.
Quite often on Ryanair's flights the 8 row rule will be in place. It's annoying when you could have free seats next you, but they've herded everyone into the centre.