Why do tourists, especially Americans, at trad sessions in Ireland feel they have to clap along frenetically to songs and tunes in order to enjoy the craic? The clapping often drowns out the music and/or looses the rhythm of the musicians. Many trad singers sing with an irregular rhythm and clapping along puts them off and ruins the song.

I guess this practise originated with amplified ballad groups singing every song to the same tempo but I don't think the practise is suited to your average unamplified session. A bit of foot tapping won't upset things but this fecking clapping along lark can grate on the nerves.

I dunno, maybe I'm just growing into an oul crank. I'll have a small drop now - maybe 'twill calm me down a bit.