Hmmm, now here's a thread to excercise (or exorcise) the ego. I think MMario's got it right. Seems to me PP's the one with the biggest ego. Not that that's bad, to be a successful performer in any field of entertainment i reckon, whether singing, dancing, playing, stand-up comedy whatever, requires a confidence and ego pretty well above the average. Not everyone can be a Martin Carthy, Bert Jansch or Pied Piper and some just like to 'give it a go'. As for no talking while someone is performing, i think its called 'politeness' and 'good manners' PP! I attend a 'session' (informal gathering as opposed to organised folk club) in a pub bar in Middleton every Monday where ther's singing and playing. There's often talking around the bar (and noisy darts match in the 'tap room') but if a particular quiet song or tune is being played one of the players usually taps a glass and the people 'round the bar' usually quieten down out of politeness. It works well. Maybe we shoul stop bloody categorising so much and just enjoy the craic (probably spelt that wrong aswell)!