Yea I hear ya, the 1st gear on this car is short. But most people here(include me) still start the car from stop using 1st gear. I occasionally use 2nd gear to start in the stop and go traffic. Especially when the car going really slow but not completely stopped yet(under 5mph) it usually has the resistance to let you put in 1st gear.
However, I am sure you are not the first one here.
starting from stop? (first time manual owner)
Starting in second gear.