I also like realistic game ans somehow I can't play without Generations. I like the careers, the parties, the interactions (I use the "give gift" a lot), the clothing, the items (have you noticed there is a video camera? I tend to forget it myself). I agree some interactions are annoying, I use mods to modify them. in general I like this EP.
If your going for realistic - I would definitly choose University life - one of my favourites: awsome and useful objects, interactions, clothing, hairstyles, and I feel like the whole system is just lacking once you get use to this EP, I mean, it brings smartphones... and that's only playing the EP itself, but also the University world/experience/and its townies is pretty cool for itself.