Paulokes--
That is where I learned this. Here people are very strict about no-crosstalk, so all the discussion about the steps is outside of the meetings.
All the stuff I discussed is really from outside of meetings. I never really made it into the inner circle of any group because I did not take many suggestions. (If I had taken suggestions, I would probably friendless, homeless, careerless and without any savings!) And since I would not quit my job, move, buy a different car etc., I never got too far in the steps.
If you are not willing to follow a sponsor's direction and move ahead with the steps, it is pretty hard to get into a groups social scene.
I tried for 8 years. I don't know why.