It's not true that it will immediately break the window... it's not a self-destruct lever after all. Mine has been opened a number of times with the lever, when I didn't remember to inform newbie riders in time, and no discernible damage yet. When opening with the lever, the window does not retract before the door opens, and that means the window is still seated in the window seal rubber molding as the door is opening, putting unnecessary pressure and torque on the upper part of the window glass. In theory, it could result in a window glass breaking sometime, or the window frame molding wearing prematurely, but I doubt this will happen within the first few dozen attempts.
I think it's bullshit people pull the emergency handle. The C6 Corvette has similar unlabeled buttons that release the doors. I don't ever hear anything about people having issues opening those doors.
