I suspect that this thread came to life because of a passing remark I made on another one - for which, thanks.
I would be interested if, instead of the jokes, we got a few more responses as to why bodhrans are as unpopular as they undoubtedly are.
IMO, it is a combination of the intrusive nature of the instrument and the inability of the players to judge the situation before they invite themselves to sit down and join in.
I have seen (with boring regularity) a superb session turned into an evening of musak - musical soup - thanks to a visiting bodhranist, guitarist, mandolin or banjo player, which makes me thankful that pianos are not more portable and most pubs that host sessions don't have one.
Why are these instruments so unpopular and held in such contempt?
Jim Carroll