Barbara and Rick...well stated/not snobby. A lot of what you say Barbara is also true for many other "genres" or branches or whatever of folk music. But it is interesting how the etiquettes have evolved along several lines, not just one of genre. There is also sometimes a regional aspect within the branch and when you get a group of like instruments together that's often something else entirely (ie. dulcimer clubs). In the mountains you do well to lay way back and take it slow. The more...can't think of the right word...let's say "humble" you are, the sooner you're taken in. Being too "prideful" is in very bad taste.Hadn't really thought about this in these terms before...just doing the polite thing generally works, but there truly are individual "etiquettes." And they need to be observed.
The only thing that bothers me is when I run into the "brand name snobbery". But I think this is diminishing to some extent. Doc Watson plays Gallagher, Ricky Skaggs play a Bourgeois (Dana builds GREAT voiced guitars), and I notice many artists in lots of branches moving to Taylor. Even Ovation seems to be gaining greater acceptance among the "purist" types, especially as a road guitar. I think this seems to be true of other instuments as well.
Nice thread. I'd like to hear some other's experiences as well with different branches/genres/types whatever. catspaw