Very interesting article. I went to India many years ago and if you went to a tea parlor, they would give you a small amount of water first. Everyone drank water first then ordered tea and snacks.
Also my parents and grandparents never allowed any drinks at the dining table, including water. Either we had some water half hour before a meal or none at all and two hours after a meal. Simple logic is why dilute your acids in the stomach when the food is present?
Today's generation cannot eat a few bites without gulping on some drink, usually sodas or packaged juices.