Sadly, it's an automatic function and, unless you are prepared to upgrade, it's not going to go away. I seem to remember the annoyance continuing in OS9.2 but it stopped for OS10.1. Certainly, it never happens on the current OS10.2.6 (although many other annoyances have replaced it so don't feel left out). Even after twenty plus years, life with Macs is still two steps forward and one step back!