Your system is a
Brinks truck, and it has two keys: the one that opens
all the doors, and the one that opens the driver's door and starts the ignition (the valet key).
You'd be a fool (criminally so, in many jurisdictions) to hand a valet the full-access key. You'd also be a fool, but differently so, to bring the full-access key when running errands and shopping for groceries. You don't want any chance of someone going all Grand Theft Auto on you and getting at the 1500 kg of gold ingots. You also want to protect the gold from self-inflicted accidents, but I think this analogy is losing steam.
In any case, normal user account == valet key, root account == ignition + all doors + gun turret + missile silo + key to the city + everything.
(Note: if you haven't driven an armored car to the mall to do Christmas shopping yet,
do it. You can park in the fire lane for hours.)