I've a number of comments on this (sorry).

The problem with what we're disussing is what sort of jam/session we're talking about?

Having been involved in a pub 'session' for a while in Surrey (England) a lot of the problems already stated above are not new to me.

What's needed is a strong co-ordinator (MC, leader, etc). if there is one a lot of these problems will dissappear.   Control in certain circumstances may not be a bad thing.   Examples - if someone is asked if they would like to sing a song and asks to borrow an intrument, thay can be told no.   The instumental sections are controled.   People who are talking too loudly within the 'session' area can be quietly asked to move.

Having said the above there was once a loud talker at the bar and when I asked him to move or sing a song, he sang, and was good and came back and became a regular.

As to straight music sessions - as a none intrument player a lot of the complaint that have been posted I have to agree with.

But a tale - During a musicsions session at Redcar ff during the late seventies early eighties a friend and I realised that 'some' people had just discovered Boudrans and where joining in everything.

my friend started it, he asked to look at someone boudran and after looking at it put it under his seat, so I started doing the same.   God love those people, because we looked threatening they didn't like to ask for them back until they were leaving.   We upset some people but it was a good session.

paulo