This is so far a discussion of noise (or not): the other thing, in addition to noisy competition, is cigarette smoke. I went to a little Fort Worth establishment a couple of years back to hear a visiting Mudcatter sing, and there was one woman in the front of the table area who managed to foul the air for everyone sitting in the room. She was oblivious to the stink, and she smoked enough that the air didn't have a chance to clear much before the next one was in her mouth. Despite my pleasure at the music I could hardly wait to get out of the place.

SRS