You've had lots of good advice here. As I think you've intimated yourself, there is no CORRECT way of playing trad. music, but there are lots of traditionally-used TECHNIQUES for making it sound good, and anyone worth their salt will share them with you (and I mean share, not stuff them down your throat as this dickhead seems to be doing). Think back. In the 1950s and '60s when some started using guitars they were criticised in some quarters for using a non-trad instrument. It is now normal to hear guitars. Things only move forward by imitation then innovation. If someone is new and nervous a good musician with a good attitude will give advice and encouragement. Only an arsehole would say NO NOT LIKE THAT, LIKE THIS as a way of - intentionally or not - stamping on you. In England (I don't know where you are, Flute) I find some sessions difficult to take for all the above reasons and because they are often frequented by Irish purists who want to hear/play no other kind of music. And not one of these Irish purists is ever Irish - they're always English! The Irish are always much more open-minded! I wish you all the joy in the musical world. Don't let the attitude of the prats put you off. It's YOUR music as well as theirs. Enjoy.