I learnt to ring in an odd-struck, rather lumpy 6, but I thought they were great.  I learned with other teens and we had a good group, going to meetings and practice nights.  I started to conduct a bit when I was 16, 17, but never got too far for a couple of reasons I think.  I can't ever remember anyone explaining coursing orders and why it was important to know them; secondly, most touches/quarters/peals seemed to believe that the conductor would ring round the back, and I didn't want to do that.  I'm sure there were many more hard-going rings in those days and ringing round the back was just not always a lot of fun.  As to whether I felt that the chaps were asked to conduct before we lasses, then, yes, I think the default was often to ask any man before you asked a woman.