There is a large population of people in America that depend on being able to overdraft. It doesn't make sense to me, it doesn't make sense to you, but if they were given the option between "overdraft" and "no overdraft" they will always choose overdraft. It's important to be aware of this use case for understanding the US system as practiced.
IME they eventually end up abusing it (repeatedly not paying the fees) and then the bank closes their account, at which time they move on. One way they strategically avoid or delay paying the fees if they can't / don't want to is by avoiding direct deposit. Then, you can either deposit the check (ready to pay overdraft fees and get account positive) or cash the check at a check-cashing (for a fee that will likely be less than the overdraft + overdraft fees).
IME they eventually end up abusing it (repeatedly not paying the fees) and then the bank closes their account, at which time they move on. One way they strategically avoid or delay paying the fees if they can't / don't want to is by avoiding direct deposit. Then, you can either deposit the check (ready to pay overdraft fees and get account positive) or cash the check at a check-cashing (for a fee that will likely be less than the overdraft + overdraft fees).