Genie, you have made an interesting point about introducing complex song arrangements at jams and song circles.
It sounded like you were referring to "jam sessions/song circles" as if they were the same thing. I look upon them as completely different events. If I'm at a jam (where everyone is playing together) I stick to simple chord progressions so the other participants can "jam" along. If I'm at a song circle (where we are taking turns performing for each other) I use songs with more complex progressions and arrangements. It all depends on the consensus of the participating musicians.
As for the original question posed by this thread, I've never encountered an audience who didn't appreciate quality musicianship!
Mike