Do You BackButter Your Tile?

I have done build ups where I do a liner and a mud base pan,

No doubt those preparations are recommended, but here in Mexico all I ever see is tile air right over the dry concrete floor in the shower. If the Mexican installers are doing that in my place, be assured they are doing the same thing everyday all over town. Hope there is not a flood of soap scum seeping into the water table around here (LOL).