There are a few types of hide user and it is important to know them all:
The Newbie
Will ask in a desperate ferver exactly where the Common Redshank is as it's new to them. Quite harmless and can give you that warm, fuzzy feeling when you've helped direct them to half-a-dozen lifers in ten minutes (note - that's the stage I'm still at in Australia)
The Other Half
Often in company with the Newbie - they're usually just starting to realise that being dragged around various reserves to sit in hides isn't all that exciting and usually spend most of their time "uh-huh"ing when their birding OH sees something and reading all the pamphlets for something to do. Rapidly realises there are better things to do on a cold Sunday morning, thus can be quite rare.
The Knowledge
Someone who was able to identify a Fan-tailed Warbler's call while they were still in the womb. They'll bring a scope and bins, but rarely need them as they can identify the pin-***** 2.5 km across the reserve by the oscillation rate of the wings alone. Usually very helpful, if a little puzzled that you couldn't ID the Lesser Whitethroat flying 1,500 m above by call alone.
The Resident
Someone who has been birding at a site since time immemorial. Remembers when all these fields were all fields. Often will sit in a hide because that's what they've always done and in the hope of running into a few other old birding friends. Also very useful and respect should accorded as they probably possess the power to blackball you from the reserve.
The Blowhard
Every hide has one - the one who was the first (and only) person to see the Bald Eagle swoop the Long-billed Murrelet from the waters of Yawnchester Lakes RSPB reserve. Usually talks far more than watches. Claims to be the first person to see any species of bird at that reserve. Latches on to newbies, some of whom may be taken in.
The Photographer
By this, I don't mean just anyone who enjoys taking pictures of birds, but the people who have never seen a bird outside of a viewfinder. Usually have a Japanoflex 2800 mm lens with f/0.00001 heat-seeking capability that requires the viewing ports of the hide to be specially widened to get the lens through. Despite the vast expense of their equipment, the majority will only ever post their photos to their blog where they will be cropped to a size where a Kodak Crappicam's picture will look about the same.
The Hardcore
Usually men, making up for some hunter-gatherer instinct by 'collecting' as many birds as possible. While nearly all birders enjoy seeing new species and many like to keep a list (me too), these guys would climb over their own grandmothers to get a glimpse of a rarity to push their UK list up to that magic 400 and beyond. Will happily split male and female Blackcap on account of the head colour difference. They will often only talk in code to each other: "Aye, Jim, two BJHBs at the back and a Spokker in the honeysuckle out front."
Nice cup of tea and a sit down
Most common at RSPB reserves, generally populating the cafe/coffee machine and cooing over the RSPB soft toys of birds. The target audience of many of the more twee items in the shop, although we shouldn't complain as they help fund the places. While noisy, they are usually harmless in the shop. However, they may decamp en masse to a nearby hide, where they talk exceptionally loudly (on account of many of them being half-deaf) and will reach the heights of ecstasy on seeing a Robin or Blue Tit. Much amusement can be had by watching their faces when a Sparrowhawk snatches one of their little birds off the feeder and proceeds to rip it bits in front of their horrified eyes.
Of course, there are many other types, but it just illustrates a few of the commoner varieties of hide inhabitant.
Cheers,
Tony