meself wrote: "Still, if an entertainer is going over well with an appreciative crowd, at some point you may not be doing that person (or their spouse!) any favour by putting another drink into their hand ..."

Oh no, I agree with you there. As someone who's gone through phases of not drinking at all and has performed in a (non-folk) capacity, I've often grimaced at the thought of being offered yet another pint of coke or glass of orange, even though the 'thought' was genuinely appreciated. However, I always accepted that this was 'the nature of the beast'.

Although I must admit I was quite unusual with the people I played with; I don't I ever saw them refuse a drink. If they couldn't drink it there and then for whatever reason, they'd ask the barman could they have an un-opened can or bottle to take with them. I'm talking heavy drinkers and a couple of genuine alcoholics here though. :(