Back in the mid- to late-1980s I lived across the street from a well-known jazz musician. I also had a big/serious 2 channel system that pleased me to no end (Vandersteen 4s + big Music Reference tube amp for mains & SS for integrated subs + VPI TT + VTL tube preamp).
My musician friend introduced me to all these industry people, including two top audio execs (one from NAD, the other from Atlantic Technology). He mentioned to them I was an "audiophile" and had a big system in my house (pointing across the street). These 2 guys seemed very interested in hearing my system, so we walked over and I fired it up.
I knew it was going to be rough when the NAD guy caught sight of my 26" NAD TV monitor, a device legendary at the time for looking great and breaking continually. He said snidely, "So, how many times has this been in the shop?" I didn’t appreciate the sarcasm but said nothing.
Then they listened to 2-3 minute classical cut I played. Then they both jumped on me and interrogated me (in a somewhat hostile manner). "Do you think you’re an ’audiophile’?" "Do you think you’re better than other music lovers?" "What's so special about this equipment?" (they were unfamiliar with some of the names). Rude as hell but I did my best to answer. Then we all went back to the party.
To this day it’s one of the weirdest experiences I’ve ever had, fending off hostile questions from audio execs in my own living room...