> so it can be a bit jarring to have a sequence of strings and not know whether the result is a function or a value

I think that the nice thing about F# is it is always a value. Function evaluation and currying can be taught fairly readily, especially given that once you get it, there's no gotchas.

> Furthermore some experienced F# devs love making custom symbols, which can also obfuscate the code

I agree that is painful when it occurs, but that style should absolutely be de-recommended and is so by Don Syme. I haven't really encountered it much in my personal development though (or I have avoided it).