It's time to take a step back and start looking at some things we often overlook. Social customs like how we show approval or respect or love, seem commonplace in the immediate family but strange in other circumstances with new people.
One example I'd like to note is clapping. It requires two hands--which most of us have--and the simple act of hitting them together at a moderate force that won't cause pain but will produce audible sound. We all know how to do it, but when do we clap? I find that clapping is useful in two major situations: when watching a performance, or when keeping a beat to music.
In the performance idea, I think clapping is an essential form of approval to the actors, musicians, or dancers on stage. Having experienced all three of these genres on the stage, I understand the importance of hearing an audience clap. After months of working on a play, concert, or dance routine, it's just crushing to someone's spirit to have an abysmal audience reaction.
So now we're to the point of this blog; the main example that made me want to share this particular subject with you all. I was attending a college graduation yesterday, and I started to notice how many people weren't clapping. When students and teachers got awards--no response. I was sitting in a section with one family who only clapped when their graduate took the stage. I was thinking this was incredibly rude. I clapped for every single person. I thought everyone deserved a little admiration for such hard work accomplished. Then I reconsidered, because this could just be a difference in how I grew up, and how the members of this family have grown up. I clap for everyone, but maybe that seems like excess to the people sitting around me.
There are other customs worth mentioning. Like putting a hand on someone's shoulder when talking to them. I need a good deal of personal space, so this seems strange when a person I don't know or hardly know touches me on the shoulder like that. Also, the kiss on the cheek is especially awkward to me.
I bet if we took a step back, looked at these small differences, and understood why we're different in such small ways we can learn a lot about each other.
In the military we are instructed to clap for only a few seconds or wait till have been recognized.
I must admit that at first I thought your blog was going in a diffrent direction. I thought you were going to talk about what a crazy thing clapping was and "simple act of hitting them together at a moderate force that won't cause pain but will produce audible sound" was a silly thing to do and a weirdo way to show approval.
Anyway good blog
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
Hmmm, I can see why you thought I was going in a different direction. I guess I took a silly approach by describing clapping to people who obviously know what it means.
That is interesting though that you are only supposed to clap for a few seconds in the military. Sure shortens a program, I'm sure. The speaker wouldn't have to wait for the clapping and noise to die down.
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...is not the only way to show approval. The sound is not necessary. When watching a deaf performer, for instance, or a cast with a deaf performer in it, one should raise both hands above their heads or to about face level, extend all ten fingers, and wave hands quickly back and forth by rotating the wrists. The sound means nothing to a deaf person, but the flashing palms can be seen easily from the stage.
And I agree about space invasion. I don't like people! My space needs are excessive. When we had European exchange students, I hated greeting them. I also hate close-talkers.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
At my graduation my principle announced that he wanted everyone to clap after everyone walked across stage not during. Still people screamed and clapped. I thought this was an appropriate compromise but people don't listen.
In one culture if you don't burp after a meal it means the food was bad. In another they kiss on the cheek. I think that is france and italy. I know you were talking about clapping but I figured I would bring these up.
In certain cultures it is disresceptful and even unappreciative to not except a gift if it is given to you. Many of us shake hands to greet other bow, kneel, or kiss on the lips.
I liked the blog because yes everyone has different ways of being raised and that is what makes all of us unique.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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