This is something that I often think about. On one hand, obviously keeping your involvement with bitcoin private is good for you own personal security, but on the other hand, I want to be able to spend bitcoin in person, and I not infrequently talk to local merchants, vendors, tradesmen, etc., about accepting bitcoin
Nothing wrong with that. Dealing with merchants, tradesmen and other bitcoin enthusiasts is good as long as you keep it inside the 'Bitcoin family'. That is why I asked in my previous post what kind of people know that OP owns Bitcoin and what exactly do they know about him. People you trade with, buy or sell to are OK but I would not brag about owning Bitcoin in the public and how safe my hardware wallet is.