I have been lurking around this site for a few years for my own evil purposes, but felt inspired finally to make a comment.

Being a spectator as opposed to a participant seems the crux of the matter to me. Voyeurism, mandatory self-effacement, passivity, etc. are far more socially acceptable than banging one's own drum loudly(unless it can be done at a professional level). There are groups who actively, even agressively ignore the societal norms, and are only to happy to "make a spectacle" of themselves.

My interest in this site lies in my interest in Rugby/Hash songs, particularly in their history. If anyone needs an example of singing in public, join up with a "singing" Hash, or Rugby Club. The hash in particular, is unique in that it is not necessarily a "Boys will be Boys" club. (For "GUEST, Joe F" who mentioned Boston: Try spending an evening with those guys, the women sing the really rude songs often!) My personal group in Rhode Island (RIH3)usually sings 5-10 songs at the Beer Check (in the middle of the woods), 10-15 at the circle at the end, and (once the food is delivered) as many as we can without getting thrown out at the dinner afterwards. None of us are great singers, but we can usually at least end up in the same key. Between the 10-15 regulars, we have a collective repertoire of about 500 songs. (Thanks to this site and others, I have personally introduced 20-30 new ones a year for the last two or three years.)

I know there are other groups, perhaps less athletically oriented, or at least less extreme, out there, singing for the sake of the song, not for the performance. I would be interested in hearing their stories.

On On