There is absolutely no point to this bickering. We are talking about different places where different norms are accepted. I used to go accross to Ireland regularly and would never have dreamt of attempting to accompany a stranger or a recognised singer without being invited. I wouldn't even have attempted to join in with most sessions unless I knew the tune well and had been invited. However, there are lots of different sessions over here and most are very welcoming of all levels, and most people get their enjoyment from simply participating. These sessions are often in a bar-room of a pub and the other occupants of the pub are only too glad of some live/lively music. It simply doesn't matter if everybody can't play every note of every tune. Occasionally somebody will lead off on a difficult tune or one nobody else knows and we are happy to sit and listen as long as they don't try to take over the session with this.

I've also gone into sessions in Ireland where the same group of half a dozen musicians rattle through the same repertoire of reels at breakneck speed and are unaware of anyone else in the room. Each to their own. Just not my cup of tea.