Im sorry but I disagree. That is the difference between a racial ability and a learned skill. If this change is made, then the same argument could be made for any other mastered skill such as camoflage, creep, hide as they also undo with hostile action, movement, etc. and must be re-enacted.
Sneak is a natural skill for elves, so they do it naturally (due to their lightness on their feet and dexterity). I think it appropriate that others must call on the skill explicitly for it to work.
No need to apologize, everyone has their own thoughts and opinions
I agree that elves have the advantage of being naturally light and dextrous. My thoughts were just that, a trained assassin or thief, who has perfected sneaking around to a degree matching that of elves, and who in their lives relies on that to survive, would by then have the same natural dexterity, as it becomes an unconscious action for them.
But maybe not