Absolutely agree, when you can get it. When half or more of those 2 seat groups are each singly occupied at your time of booking, and you have to settle for either splitting up or taking the middle of the 5 seat group, it's not a delight at all. 3-3-3 is clearly better for couples who book when E+ (or E-, if they're stuck there) is about 44-66% full.

I suppose most people here book their international travel far enough in advance that that isn't an issue, though.

Unfortunately we all have different preferences. I for one prefer the narrower seats with more recline in C; I can't get to sleep at all in the old 777 recliners (much less in Y), even on the IAD-NRT nonstop I don't sleep a wink. They were far wider than what I needed personally, though.