strict in halakha

We had some discussions where some posters insist on a position because they feel “this is more stringent”, ie do not violate shabbos personally whatever effect on others… I am not saying they are wrong in this particular case, but here is a related story (from R Chaim Mintz book zakenecha yomru leha):

R Ruderman had a rich shver with nice floors and expensive rugs. He also was very welcoming. Two Rabbis visited the house: one asked to bring netilas yadayim to his room and made it there, with some water spilling around. After that, Rav Boruch Ber (*) stayed there. He said – I am afraid to spill water on the rugs, so please do not bring me water… So, R Ruderman asked hi students: so who is more “frum”?

Also, R Ruderman welcomed Ponevezh Rav and showed him the new yeshiva building (and Ponevezh Rav was bokeh in yeshiva consutrction!). The guest commented that he does not see negel vasser in the rooms, to which R Ruderman replied that he does not want students to destroy (steal form?) the yeshiva.