I prefer it the way they eat now, I thought it took too long before but I know there are people that like it when they eat slower. If you are a family player then I can see how maybe they are eating a bit too fast now, but to be honest I thought it was always tricky to get all sims to sit down and eat family dinner.
Getting them all to engage in conversation usually works and still work for me, they will finish their meal faster but they tend to keep talking at the table.
I don't think showering should be faster, you are supposed to upgrade the shower if you want them to shower faster.
