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[ganderbox]

A few years ago, when I was playing with a Cornish band, we did a golden wedding party. The chairs had been set out round the edge of the room as usual, but when the guests arrived they dragged them all into the middle of the hall to form a circle, settled down, then asked us to turn the music down so they could chat. We ended up turning the PA off and just having our own little session in the corner of the room as background music. I think they did one dance (a waltz) all evening. Still, they seemed happy enough, we enjoyed playing some different tunes, the caller didn't give in to depression and commit suicide, and we got paid!   

[Steve_freereeder]

[jb]

I much prefer it when there is a proper elevated stage for the band, forming an effective separation from the dancers. When the band is on the dance floor itself, there is an ever-present risk of drunken gits bulldozing their way into the band as they overshoot a befuddled gallop up the set.

Not really a horror story, but in my experience a fairly common phenomenon when there isn't good separation is the punter who wants a chat while you're playing. I like to think I'm a reasonably good player, but one thing I've never been able to do is hold a conversation - even a relevant one - while playing. Do other people find this too?

[Steve_freereeder]

As in this clip, perhaps? (Don't watch if you are strongly squeamish or empathetic.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2UWXw2TMdI  

Owww!! that's awful. :-(

...but one thing I've never been able to do is hold a conversation - even a relevant one - while playing. Do other people find this too?

Nope - I can't talk and play at the same time. How some people manage to sing and play simultaneously is beyond me. They have my full admiration. 

[ladydetemps]