In [[https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/#/c/188311/|gerrit 188311]], the padding for all wikitable cells were increased from `0.2em` (all sides) to `0.3em 0.4em`. Discussion regarding this change is virtually non-existent. I raised concern in [[https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/rMW33cfd0bc4a5f009b86c40b0312b4c7f7b006cbc7|this diffusion ticket]], but to raise more awareness I created this task; an action that should have been done //before// the change was submitted. There is also discussion on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Village_pump_(technical)#Tables_just_changed_.28using_monobook.29|the English village pump]].
The actual change increases the spacing in wikitable cells. Table real estate is already tight and increasing the padding makes tables even bigger in height and width. Templates that rely on standard wikitable metrics ase affected. Editors seeking to minimize the padding are forced to do so with inline CSS in **every** table cell.
I'm seeking to revert this change, or otherwise at least discuss this change as if it were proposed here. It that would result in approval, then so be it. My biggest concern is that a change like this which has major visual impact was merged with minimum review.