@AWolfInCheapClothing @liztai I think that's probably right, but Western table manners are weird anyway. And they do involve a certain amount of challenge, yes.
The "proper" way to eat soup is to sit straight up and bring the spoon to your mouth (without spilling anything!). And then you don't put the spoon in your mouth, but sip the soup (noiselessly!), from it's side (!), not the front. Again, without spilling.
It's about the most difficult way you can use a spoon .