I personally wasn't a big fan of this option in Tasha's, as I do think the ability scores bonuses do reflect the culture of that race. I.E. Gnomes are known to be curious so it makes that growing up in that environment would encourage you to develop those skills. However, I do like the compromise of keeping any +2 you have (as that would have had a stronger influence on you) and being able to adjust the +1 of you can justify it with RP/backstory.
For example in my current PnP campaign, I have a Forest Gnome druid who studies biology at an academy. So he keeps his +12 Int as he's a scholar, but traded the +1 Dex for Wis, since he styled spending as much time in the wilds. I think that adjustment makes sense, but I wouldn't have fought for it, if my DM didn't offer it.
I'm actually planning for him to be my first PC, and have made him in EA and felt fine with his build.
