Clapping hands like a seal, who started this style and kept it going, (wokeness or peer pressure)?

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
You may have noticed the way folks on TV, or those in tv studios, or theatres, clap their hands has changed over the last ten/twenty years or so I guess(?).

I still clap my hands the way I've always done, with the palms slightly crossed, but so many, maybe the majority of folks, clap their hands with their fingers, and palms aligned, and it occurs to me that the power of "peer pressure", (or an early manifestation of wokeness), must be at play(?)

What do you think, (have you noticed this, and think it odd too?)? :)
 

I've noticed for many years a difference in the way that people clap their hands. In fact, I remember someone I knew saying back in the 1970s that "city" people (in this instance, it meant snobby, "over-educated", effete, etc.) clapped with their fingers and palms aligned and that "rednecks" (hicks, rubes, country folks, "uneducated", the poor, etc.) clapped with palms crossed.

So since I've noticed it for years and years (and years; I'm old, sigh), my answer to your question is no, I don't find it odd. I do find some things odd but not clapping; I couldn't care less how people clap.
 
officerripley said:
I've noticed for many years a difference in the way that people clap their hands. In fact, I remember someone I knew saying back in the 1970s that "city" people (in this instance, it meant snobby, "over-educated", effete, etc.) clapped with their fingers and palms aligned and that "rednecks" (hicks, rubes, country folks, "uneducated", the poor, etc.) clapped with palms crossed.
So since I've noticed it for years and years (and years; I'm old, sigh), my answer to your question is no, I don't find it odd. I do find some things odd but not clapping; I couldn't care less how people clap.
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"You'll have to let us know what you think odd is", but my reference really, (or comment) referred to it being odd folks felt/feel the need to copy, and change their behaviour concerning what I'd have thought was a spontaneous and natural activity, such as clapping must sure!y be!!!!

Is there a need for some research, (I think so!)? :)
 

Similar variations exist in the way that people wave. Some move their outstretched palms back and forth like they’re washing a window, others kind of twitch their fingers as if scratching, while still others flop their hands back and forth at the wrist. Curious thing, the human animal…👋 👏
 
There is more variety than I'd thought, but shall I say it, "the clapping hands like a girl thing", (or "seal"), is becoming so widespread its ridiculous, and I almost find myself doing it, which is worse!
 
Hands together, fingers pointing up looks to me like the traditional position of hands for prayer, rather than seal?
I use the crossed hands position, left over right, and I feel that I had a very genteel upbringing.
 
Geezerette said:
Hands together, fingers pointing up looks to me like the traditional position of hands for prayer, rather than seal?
I use the crossed hands position, left over right, and I feel that I had a very genteel upbringing.
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The "crossed hands position" sounds good, and what I believe was the "normal" position once, (and your term "crossed hands position" is an excellent way of putting it!), "left over right" I think is unusual though, unless you're left handed perhaps, or as you say, "very genteel"! :)
 
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Della said:
I clap the fingers of my right hand into the palm of my left hand and I'm as high falutin and re-fined as can be!
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I must be getting obsessed with this topic because I showed some work mates our debate earlier, and asked them about their clapping style, (all "normal/old fashioned I'm pleased to say!). :)
 
I've got another "Kathy Kirby" song clip to impart where she sings about the song of applause being one of the most wonderful sounds you can hear, (Kathy was a 1960s star in the UK, probably unknown in the USA).
 
This is the one I was thinking of with lyrics appropriate for this thread, but both a beautiful song, (Make Someone Happy), and beautiful voice singing it too, into the bargain!

 
,One thing that I find really annoying is the trendy way young people show their approval for a performance, or a point of view. Instead of clapping, they emit a loud whoop. Sometimes over and over again. One of my favorite TV shows, Real Time With Bill Maher, has been ruined for me by the endless whooping and screaming every time they agree with a statement. It can be the mildest statement in the world, but I find myself steeling myself for the inevitable vocalizing from the audience.

I know I sound like a geezer, but I wish they'd bring back old-fashioned applause!
 
I limit myself to the golf clap. Right hand quietly taps the edge of the left hand, which ideally should be wearing a golf glove.
 


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