I'm mostly an open presser as well. Probably because I come from a garment/home dec background. I started out pressing to the side when I first started quilting because it was the 'right' way to do it. Finally decided I like a flatter top to work with and just decided to ignore the quilt police and go my own way. Sometimes some seams still get pressed to the side but it's strictly dictated by how the pattern goes together.