TOPIC: AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION?

I asked this before and was told that yes we do take our instruments to the workshop but do we actually get to play or do we take the instruments to "jam" a little in between sessions? Do we have our instruments with us during the sessions? I understand the protocol of not playing while someone is speaking....but we are absent-minded....so how do we keep from being obnoxious....All this coming from a retired school teacher who never left anything to chance...What is the norm???? Anyone knows??