[The_Reader_David]

No, crossing 7’s and z’s is not an affectation, at least not in the mathematical and physical sciences: it keeps z’s and 2’s, and 7’s, and > signs clear when writing hastily (and separates 7’s from 1’s which may be written with a serif to avoid having them look like l’s or pipe-signs: | ).

[Trailerpark Badass]

I was with Lit majors.

Believe me, it was affectation. :0)