@Jeff – if it’s just me and thee in a sax playing competition, i don’t mind coming second. Coming second doesn’t sound as bad as coming last.
@Saxomonica – social behaviour in global chat rooms (forums) does differ from face to face encounters in life where one usually arranges to meet up.
Due to time zone differences, responses can vary, but no response at all can show lack of interest, in the topic and in the other persons comments.
But then again no response can indicate a dead room.