Yes it is very practical.
If you and I are sitting in a room together, and I decide I want to show you my new pistol, I will clear it and double check to make sure it is unloaded. I will then hand it to you, and if you don't check it, then that is on you, and you ideals, but when you hand it back to me, I will check it to see if it is clear.
It doesn't matter, if you never even racked the slide, I will still check it.
It is not the point of "thinking it is loaded"....It is treating every firearm as if it was loaded.
Safety is first.
Now if Sam doesn't follow the same rule that I do, then that is fine. I will not mind him handling the gun, because I know it is unloaded, but if Sam decides to point it at me, then I will tell, not ask, tell Sam to point that thing in a safe direction. It is never a good practice to point a firearm at a person you don't intend to shoot, and a habit that does not need to be formed.