My daughter asked why I always put the napkins on the table but serve dinner straight from the stove

I told her it's called plating strategy.

The napkins suggest we're civilized people who sit down for meals. The fact that everyone's holding their plates in front of the burners just means we're also efficient civilized people.

Punchline

Besides, folding napkins is way easier than folding laundry, and I needed a win today.