Is it love of C++ String, dislike of C string or just not used to C string that drives people to accept the behind your back actions and overhead RAM bytes of C++ String?
Look at all String does to "make it easier" to manipulate text in a number-like manner. Ooooh! Power windows! Hey, turn the car on just so I can open the window! No, that's not inefficient, that's con-veeen-yence!