To raft or not to raft, protocol?

[Rigger Mortice]

I may have missed earlier comments, but I am mystified by the suggestion that leaving fenders outside would give rise to them getting tangled. This would only happen if the approaching boat is moving forward when at the point of contact, grinding the fenders against the the boat's topsides, a common reason for my being disenchanted with my neighbours (together with unwillingness to spring, smoking upwind of me, foul music & so on).

In theory you're right. In practice more often than not the fenders get tangled. That's boating!
I agree with your bracketed hates!