When I was a kid I'd usually pick water (first time, as I'd play through the games over and over and over and over...) But I've played through Blue/Silver plenty of times with each starter.
Eh....I think I chose the grass lizard first time I played Sapphire, and I chose Chimchar in Diamond (only played it once).
Crusty VGchartz old timer who sporadically returns & posts. Let's debate nebulous shit and expand our perpectives. Or whatever.