Contacts app is a nightmare on Tahoe.

[MareLuce]

I want a compact, no frills UX option.

I mighty have to go back to Fantastical/CardHop...

Check out the free versions of the Flexbits apps on the App Store!

You used CardHop at one point? What made you go back to default Contacts app?

 

[Bazza1]

I want a compact, no frills UX option.

I mighty have to go back to Fantastical/CardHop...

Check out the free versions of the Flexbits apps on the App Store!

I use the free version Fantastical on my iPhone (okay with stock iOS Contacts) and I recall trying it on my Mac (less thrilled and deleted) and Cardhop (ditto) some years ago.

But whatever Apple has done to Contacts in Mac 26 (so much wasted space and flickering), along with your posting above had me remember and revisit Cardhop again. Even free version so much better than stock mess. I'm gonna stick with it for now - maybe, eventually, Apple will restore app to stable functionality.
Or not.