Originally Posted by
Katetheo 
I went to an open AA meeting yesterday as there are very few Al-anon meetings around here. I found it very helpful but I'm not sure of the rules...am I meant to just listen or am I allowed to share?
It's inappropriate for someone not an alcoholic (or concerned about his/her own drinking) to share at an AA meeting. At some meetings, they will go around the rooms to give everyone a chance to share, or randomly call on people--in those instances you can just say "pass" or "I'm just here to listen."
It's perfectly fine to talk with people before and after the meeting, though--if someone had a particularly interesting or helpful share, you can go up (and I'd mention the fact that you are a partner, not an alcoholic) and talk to that person.
Just not appropriate for during the meeting--however much you feel the urge to share. Save it for your next Al-Anon meeting. The AAs are concentrating on how to get sober and stay that way, and as a non-alcoholic, you can't contribute to that.