And you know... I miss votive candles.
No! You are not being too picky. The Tabernacle contains the Real Presence, the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm tired of attending Mass at strange churches while travelling and having to spend 5 minutes tracking down the Tabernacle.
I belonged to what was once the only somewhat traditional parish in my area, then we built a new sanctuary, removed the Tabernacle to a chapel off the "commons" and it's been down hill there ever since. We had an uproar about that and as a result the Pastor installed a small temporary Tabernacle behind and to the right of the altar. If you didn't already know it was there you'd never notice it. They've completely lost the sense of reverence that I grew up with. Nobody genuflects anymore...the children don't even know how to genuflect, and nobody knows when to genuflect anymore. Kids run back and forth to and from the bathroom...even at the Consecration. They've adopted the obnoxious habit of nodding their heads when they approach the altar..even though the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tiny little half hidden Tabernacle. I suppose that nod is acceptable to a bare altar when no Tabernacle is present, but it's unsettling to see folks approach the Tabernacle and nod...like they're seeing a buddy in a pub.
No I don't think you're being picky...leave the Tabernacle where it belongs. It contains the central mystery of our Faith and it's place should be central in our sanctuaries and our hearts.