My son did Irish dancing from the age of about 6 until about 15 and took part in loads of competitions. He was never brilliant but still managed to win 60 or so medals and trophys (mainly places with a few firsts).

Fortunately the boys never had to go through quite the same fancy outfit sh*te as the girls but I saw a lot of it at first hand (designated driver all around the north west of England!).

I personally blame the parents for starting the fancy outfit syndrome and can remember the not-so-gradual proliferation. "She's got a fancy dress, our Mary has to have one too." It was all about competition with other parents.

The worst I saw was a girl of about 10 coming back proudly with her second place medal, beaming smnile on her face. She showed the medal to her mother. Mother grabbed the medal and hurled it across the room "You should have got a first!"

If I may comment on the guitar theme. I've played guitar for Irish and Scottish music for over 40 years. I usually use a plectrum and standard tuning and I vary my style and rhythm to suit the tune - jig/hornpip/reel etc, adding in runs where it seems appropriate; I even play a few tunes as well.   What really gets me are those who play only bar chords up the neck in a jazz or dance band manner up the neck with little regard for rhythym and none at all (apart hopefully for the basic key!) for 'relevant' chords. It is obvious that many have no idea of the tunes or the styles and are playing almost at random.

Don't get me wrong, there are many guitarists who can play in that manner using chords that match and harmonise with the music and whose playing is a joy to listen to, but there are too many more of the other kind.

OK rant over. Sorry about that.