When I first started out on bass, my instructor (well... sort of... more like a semi-pro who sold me my first bass and showed me how not to get arthritis or carpal tunnel, along with a few other odds-and-ends that not enough people know) told me to do that because when you're on stage rockin' out and gettin' down... nothing kills it quite like the plug popping out of the socket.

I myself always thought the other way looked cooler. But I've always followed his advice. He also showed me to wear my bass high on my belly like an anal professional ;) :cool: rather than down low by my hip/thigh like some wannabe rock star (because you'll have to be a real rock star to afford the surgery!).