I try to keep all of my water in the sink. On the rare occasion I'm getting crazy enough to miss, that recessed area would not be enough to save me ;)

I occasionally spill water, but I think it is easier to wipe up a few splashes than to try to keep that area clean. I don't like the inside corners and I would think that I would be more likely to have spills or falling dishes when I set something on the counter near the edge of the sink, something I often do. It seems mostly like wasted space to me.

That is diff and seems so unnecessary to me

I'm not that neat of a person and I have never had an issue that would call for something like that. Even if I do have water on my counter it stays put as the counter is level.

Don't do stuff just because, everyone else is, or "its always been done like that".

Hey debra, that is my point. I don't think that is anything good, but it is the norm here, so I'm trying to find if there is any advantages to it. So far, none that would make me want it.