Cracking in the kitchen can be a big help if the lobsters are hard shell, as they were when we had lobster on New Years Eve.
I actually had to help my wife crack one claw, and break the tail section.
Also, some places "dispatch" the lobster by at least cutting the head with a knife.
While I prefer to crack mine, it wouldn't be a problem if it were cracked.
Different strokes for different folks.
