Are you supposed to dip the bread in ashes? Do you have to if you don’t want to?
I never saw the Rav use ashes at all.
The Rav has bemoaned that we are unfortunately not on the level to be able to do that.
What about sitting on the floor for the meal? Is that a good idea? If it is, do you have to if you don’t want to (not wanting to is I guess an indication that youre not on the level)?
To comment on your second point first you are correct.
As to the first, all I can tell you is that when I asked the Rav this question close to 40 years ago he told me it was a worthwhile thing to do. Been doing it even since.
Let’s hope next year won’t be necessary.