Exactly

Yes but if the straddle is done by all involved more or less with similar frequency or even 50% variations and you try to be on the lower part of the distribution without appearing nit or about on avg level, then it will benefit the most the one that can adapt to the situation better. In fact if people are bad at adapting it will give you a massive edge suddenly.

The real advantage comes from big straddles and weak opponents that do not raise them unless they have very predictable top 5% hands only and call them with many weak hands and small pairs and then face a sudden raise and get in tough spots folding.

If its a smart table that they do not participate in the straddle in the spirit of the game then yes its a deficit. And if it gives you a stupid gambling like image combined with some retarded at surface all in moves with semi good hands while on straddle then imagine how your AA-QQ and sets, straights and flushes will be paid when you bet them hard too. Some times the price of doing business is worth it. You just need to know when.