I have an order of doing things when it comes to washing up. Plates first then bowls, the bowls are propped up with the mugs and everyday glasses which come next. Then I'll move the bowls slightly for a gap to slide any chopping boards / baking trays into. Next are any pans, which are done in order of size, smallest first then as best as possible stacked on top of each other. Next is the cutlery which goes into a separate pot so weren't required in my initial stack calculations followed by the delicate glasses, which are at the end because they will always be dried with paper towels and placed back on the relevant shelf in the Living room. I do not need to dry the rest thats why they are stacked on the drainer.
The missus does the washing up and its... "can you come and dry these for me..."
For me, I think it stems back to packing Artics at the end of the gig. A good pack always took a bit of logic. Many a time the truck driver had his ideas completely changed by us. Yeah but.... Oh shit that works well!