I started by playing rhythm on an acoustic, and an older friend taught me a few chords to get started, and told me that be uses thin picks. On this recommendation, thats what I use, and can't really work with anything else. I hold it quite close to the pointy end, so in a way it ust acts to protect my fingers a bit, and give a more even sound on up and down strokes. It does make some noise, but then I play guitar in quite a percussive style, so this is OK with me.
I've been trying to find out (on some other forums) if a thicker pick is better fo playing lead/solos. I find them difficult to use - unwieldy - but thats mainly because I'm not used to them, whereas I've had years of experience to hone my attack technique with floppy picks
JE
