I guess it must be genetic, my mother still uses a (well-made, mind you, unlike mine) straight-backed wooden chair in her study. Also, having alarmingly low standards definitely helps.

It's probably no consolation, but at least this conversation motivated me to have another look at my office chair and discover that I could move the arms slightly more out of the way, such that it hopefully won't cripple me any more. I kind of wish I could just take them off completely, but the anchor to one of the screws is detached enough that it won't release the screw, but attached enough that it keeps the arm stuck on. Le sigh.