"Allan - in my case......." Quite so there is a big difference between friends genuinely helping each other out and those who just criticise. I met a young guy after one session who had been in the bar and he said "were you singing in the pub tonight" and after I confirmed that I was he said "aye I thought so - you were crap".

Water of a duck's back and I just laughed it off. It depends on who is criticising (or perhaps giving advice) and in what manner they are doing it. Personally I would only ever say something to a friend - if at all.