Standing with no strap

Jim , I've played like that sometimes, mainly when it's either someone else's guitar, or a guitar in a shop, without a strap. I generally put straps on my guitars when I first get hold of them, and hardly ever take them off.
I've seen others play this way, but not really players who played this way routinely.
From my own perspective, I have a tendency to move around a little while playing. Nothing like a 70s rock band, but just a little....

I almost always use a strap -- in the band because we stand, but even on solo gigs or in music circles where I'm sitting, because then I don't have to worry if I happen to move. To me, it's just more comfortable than playing without one.

I've played like that when trying a guitar, or just noodling whilst waiting for something in the kitchen to finish (one knee on back of couch actually, but same sort of thing), or even trying someone else's guitar, but I could never play a gig like that.  My left leg would get awfully tired in no time!  LOL!

Could probably do the short 3 to 4 song set at church that way, but I'd rather be comfortable and sit on my guitar stool.  That's the way I play all my gigs.  Don't like straps.  My back can't stand just standing in one spot for more than 15 minutes, never mind with a guitar strapped to me. 

RobertW,Greg Ballantyne, I don't think bumps and damage to guitar have anything to do at all with strap or no strap.  It's totally an awareness thing.  You are either conscientious of your surroundings and your guitar and are considering all factors that could cause any harm to said guitar, or you're not.  It's as simple as that.  You only have to not be aware of one thing or one circumstance and bam, guitar gets bumped.  lol.  Straps are not a factor.

I've bumped all my guitars, but I'm also very considerate of my environment at all times with my guitar so I've never put any marks on my guitars due to bumps.   Oh ya, my guitars have been dropped, fallen over, and bumped many times..........but always when in the protection of their cases.  

Ok, one exception, I do remember my Takamine falling over once, not in case, onto a hardwood floor.  Ha ha ha.   Didn't take a scratch.  lol.  But that guitar was particularly tough, thing was a bloody tank.  Never seen a wood guitar stay so unaffected from so many years of "abuse"; I did not take care of that guitar like I do with all guitars since that one.  It looked pretty much as good as the day I bought it when I sold it with almost 10 years of abuse on it.  That thing was freaky tough.

where did that desk come from!

Derick , Clumsy fits. I only get that way on the odd rare occasion.....