There used to be a big collection of players who met at the Crossroads in Bellevue, WA. It was quite popular and attracted some really strong players (e.g. including Yasser Seirawan).
So locally it was a cultural thing, like park players in New York city.
Taking ideas is not a vice, it is a virtue. We have another word for this. It is called learning.
But sharing ideas is an even greater virtue. We have another word for this. It is called teaching.
