Ah - a topic that's been aired many times here - and you can probably guess the usual suspects replying to it, and their usual replies...

well, here's my usual response:

The only time I ever use a music stand and music is very occasionally - as an aide memoire - when performing with our ceilidh band, and only if we're doing a rarely performed piece or a brand new tune.

Otherwise never. Never in a pub or club, and never at a session or singaround. I hate using these things myself, and I'm not fond of others using them either - just call me a Mouldy Old Fig!