It's the usual Mudcat pomposity and a whole bunch of people taking themselves too seriously...actually, make that "taking things too seriously on behalf of other people, whose actual standpoint they may not have a clue about"!

I know people in 3 Morris sides, and a whole bunch of people just starting a new side. None of them take it hugely seriously...it's mainly something they feel is good fun, and an excuse to burn enough calories to drink beer, as well as upholding a bit of tradition...yes, it's "something they love" but it's not "something they're insanely precious about and incapable of treating with levity on occasion".

None of the dancers I know would adopt the attitude of the people Bo met: They were very chatty and welcoming until they asked us where we came from and who our local 'sides' were. When I said Tunbridge Wells and Royal Borough they stopped talking to us and tried their best to ignore us for the rest of the evening. They were "Morris Ring" and Royal Borough were not.

But then none of the dancers I know are "Morris Ring" (I too am in Tunbridge Wells!)...maybe this apparently pompous "Ring" side's the one Michael's speaking on behalf of :-)?