I would put square on the counter.

Thanks for the input. I think that might be best too.

Definitely not the squiggledy. That pattern has always bothered me, though I didn't make the associations you did.

Is this part of the counter intended to stand out from a design perspective? Would you be creating a stripe that carried from the backsplash onto the counter or something? If yes, then I think the same pattern for both. If not, then I think maybe the biggest square tile they have in that color.

I think it would be OK on a counter. I'd put it point down/curve up--the other way would remind me of a sea of bare bottoms. Tell me you're not using pink. ;)

I like the tile fine set as a fish scale. But set the way above it bothers me because I have trouble finding "centers" in it. It can be read two different ways, which I think is too active for a backsplash.