To expect your guests to "abide by ground rules for critical listening" is hilarious...I couldn't envision myself ever doing something like that. I listen mostly by myself especially critical listening. Why would you expect your guests, many of whom probably aren't into cymbal decay, timbre and thwap, to sit there in what they probably thought was a social setting and only talk in between tracks?
if my friend invites me over to specifically listen to his rig, fine I'll be quiet and listen intently. If my wife and I are invited over I highly doubt the two of us are going to sit mute on the couch and only talk in between tracks to the others. To pull off what you are looking to do I would limit and target your invite/s to those you know are into it.
Now if you want to lay down ground rules in the hopes of these people never wanting to come over again then I could see doing so...
if my friend invites me over to specifically listen to his rig, fine I'll be quiet and listen intently. If my wife and I are invited over I highly doubt the two of us are going to sit mute on the couch and only talk in between tracks to the others. To pull off what you are looking to do I would limit and target your invite/s to those you know are into it.
Now if you want to lay down ground rules in the hopes of these people never wanting to come over again then I could see doing so...