avoiding double object pronouns

Question

It is my observation that a Frenchman will do almost anything to avoid double objective pronouns - for fear of making mistakes and because they sound fussy, awkward, and a bit snobbish. As they are used less and less frequently, the "correct" order is being lost even to the French. I have been encouraged by my teachers to reformulate to avoid this mare's nest. So

Je lui ai donné cela plutôt que je le lui ai donné.

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Max,
That's a very interesting comment! ;-)
If we look at the sentences you wrote, they don't really mean the same (in essence):

Je lui ai donné cela = I gave this to him 
Je le lui ai donné = I gave it to him

Using direct and indirect object pronouns together is still very much used in written form as well as when speaking French. As a native French speaker, I (and members of my family) use them together (how frequently, I couldn't say) without thinking I am sounding posh or else ;-)
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !