My Japanese gf used to give thanks to the spirit of whatever animal we were eating. "thank you fish, growing big and strong, and being our meal tonight...itadakimasu!!"..."hi hi"...

I still find it annoying when other people impose their need for ritual, on others. Though it might be a relief to know that the more sanctimonious types (baptists or whatever) might have to endure someone else, and it might possibly make them more aware of how they make others feel.

Growing up in the Bible Belt American South I learned early on that I could find commonality with religious literalists by taking their language as metaphor, and focusing on values instead of historicity.

Finding commonality with those outside our tribe doesn’t come naturally; it requires practice. But it produces peace instead of war.

Everything they are grateful to God for, I am grateful to Nature for. I don’t care which name we use. Metaphorical language doesn’t offend me. War does. I’m happy to thank God for my sustenance, and for Peace.

FUN! When the thought of saying grace pops up I always think of Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice.

Interesting. I haven't seen/heard ''grace'' in decades! What did your friend say? (If you can remember.)

Sam Harris might approve. I read his book "Waking Up," about the value of non-religious spiritual practice, and I think there is some value to it. The BEST part to giving a non-deist grace at the table is that it pisses off fundamentalists, who are paranoid about their precious Jeebus being replaced by "counterfeit" religion. It is part of their "Satanic warfare" belief paradigm fueling their fear-based religiosity.
But aside from my snarky spiteful pleasure, it IS emotionally healthy for each of us to practice gratitude in our lives.

A little ritual helps to remind us that, some parts of life, like eating together, are special, and should be valued as such. Adding therefore to our pleasures and understanding.

Ritual and the sense of community that religions give, are the only two things of value it has, which as yet the secular world can not fully replace. I think that only benefit can come from the secular world reclaiming the idea of ritual from religion, and I see no difficulty with gratitude being directed only at qualities like nature, rather than entities like gods