I couldn't find any threads on TE, but there are lots of internet articles about group cycling etiquette, such as http://actionwheels.com/articles/cyc...ette-pg371.htm

Riding in a group has some great pros and cons. If you can hang with them, you get the benefit of the slip stream of the peloton. You can save a lot of energy that way. But if you are in the middle of the pack, you have to be super focused and aware of the riders all around you. Stay in your lane and be aware of the group slowing down or speeding up. If you accidentally tap the rear wheel of the person in front of you, you will go down hard and the people behind you will pile on to you. (I know this 'cause it happened to me!)

So, as a new rider you can benefit from the group, but you also have to have accountability -- know what's going on, what the various hand signs and verbal calls are so that you contribute to the overall safety of the group.