Asking for someones email when they ask for your whatsapp is weird.

Yes it is. But that’s not what I was suggesting.

being able to communicate with friends and family

I made the switch 6 months ago and can communicate just fine. Friends and family.

more important than software evangelizing

Its not evangelising, I’ve just chosen not to use WhatsApp, FB messenger etc. If other people want to surrender their personal data to Meta have at it.