I see the point was made, why should we have to mix, join, obfuscate? I think that's a good point. But here we are.

As someone else said, why not then? We would do this with cash, no?

I walk to town in the morning, buy two pies and a steak in cash, the cash gets put in the till. I get some change. The next customer walks in, buys, pays in cash, gets some of that very same cash as change and also asks if the cashier can change a ten for two fives. The cashier takes some of his earnings to a restaurant, bar, whatever and enjoys. I eat my pies and steak and revisit. Again and again. Everybody is happy.

Is there something I'm missing or is the idea of private transactions something people don't understand anymore? I'm aware that cash is traceable but then again we, have a public blockchain, do we not?