Anything which makes the audience uncomfortable and gives the impression that they are not allowed to relax and enjoy themselves is a bad thing. Folk clubs that feel like a church or a classroom do not do the music any good at all. If a performer can't hold the audience's attention in a venue set up specifically for lovers of the type of music they play, they usually only have themselves to blame. There's no excuse for rudeness and inconsiderate, oblivious chatting, but no wonder folk clubs are seen by many as the last place you'd go for a good night out. Just imagine prim, self-important people going "shush" in the Blaxhall Ship of old . . .