nick, sessions are not about ignoring the punters.
those that do ignore,will find that the publican turns round and says sorry go else where.
publicans are struggling at the moment to make ends meet,
Pubs here in rural ireland,are disappearing.,they [publicans] are all looking at ways of getting people into their premises,the last thing they need ,is introspective musical wankers,who are more concerned about what twiddle[and whether it is in keeping with the irish tradition] they put in to the turn of a tune,and who are only concerned with their own clique.,and whose music has lost all joy, because it ended up their own arses years ago,along with comhaltas obsession with ornamentation.
all pub musicians, have to interact with the punters,otherwise the landlord will put on a quiz night or some other jamboree instead.
there are plenty of idiot musicians with this holier than thou attitude they are not doing the music or anyone else any favours,they are perfect examples of boring competence.