well what can I say, congrats to you for the support on your article. Should that make me change my mind? Yeah we all do judgements based on appearences andfirst impressions, for that someone has to be aware of that and try to look beyond.
Did the one of the event sponsors said that... so.... what's the point? should that make me change my mind?
but again i'll try to explain better, that situation that you describe:

"Excuse me, can I squeeze past" - the response I received? "No, I'm standing here"...

or even worst has happened to me with that kind of people that you think won't do that, my point is retarded arseholes there are everywhere. So I don't really see your point. Next time go to USA conf not to london's. Is like I don't like the people in the bar of the corner, so next time you won't go right?

Next weekend is the latinamerican bitconf here in buenos aires where i live. I'd like to go really, but it is quite expensive. I can afford it, but honestly for that price I know the kind of people that is going to be there, and nop I'm not interested.