Folkiedave; I did say 'they were all pleasant & polite people'. Thoughtless, I should say, rather than rude. But no positive effort to make him feel welcome; due, I'm sure, to a subliminal feeling that he did really quite 'belong' up there with us. It's hard to put a finger on the atmosphere that was being generated; the old word 'cut' comes somewhere near - except as I say I'm sure it was unconscious & not intended to snub. I won't go on about this: it's hard to define & maybe beginning to drift too far. But I am sure there are some out there who recognise the sort of situation I am trying to describe here.