I prefer the above phrase "common courtesy" to "manners," as a lot of that stuffy stuff is rightfully gone - women waiting for the car door to be opened (silly), while holding a swinging door for anybody behind it is common courtesy.

We have all sat through song circles where somebody's skill level is way below others'. At the very least, it is CC to sit quietly through. If by eye contact and gesture the person indicates they want others to join in, do so without hijacking the tempo (that is really annoying). If somebody does a song they only half know, suggest nicely they be prepared next time to teach it to everyone (I've been guilty of this, until the excellent "song circle etiquette" posting). Skipping people unless they pass is rude. Not tuning your instrument is rude. treating participants with disrespect is rude.

If a group has such a low skill level thet it makes you crazy, quit going and start your own.

When I'm feeling itchy I think of the times someone has made me feel itchy, and another much better than me gently helps them out.

MA