Why do some people refuse to clap at the end of something?

Question

I was at a German Brass concert the other day and it was truly magnificent. I was with my mom and there were these 2 old men and a teenage boy with them. At the end, loads of people clapped, I thought it was great so I clapped but those guys didnt?????

So why is it they dont clap?

Answer 1

Even if one didn't enjoy the concert (or any live performance), it's still polite to applaud. In fact, when a performance receives a lukewarm reception, often someone will comment that it received "a smattering of polite applause".

Etiquette is, after all, all about how you make people feel. And there were live performers there, and the audience had the opportunity to make them comfortable with their applause, so I say "go for it".

To answer your question, though, I don't know why some people don't do it. Maybe it's a cultural thing; maybe they're just ignorant.

Generations ago, people would applaud at movies. You don't see that so much these days!

Answer 2

maybe they weren't impressed. maybe they're arrogant and above behaving like all the other sheep. maybe they're anti-conformist. maybe they're snobs. maybe they're jaded or miserable inside. maybe they were just bored.  

Answer 3

Some old-schoolers don't clap unless it really hits their hearts. This performance may have been extraordinary to you, but maybe it was average to them.

Answer 4

I looked in my rule book and there's nothing there about being required to clap at the end of something.  There WAS something about STANDING OVATIONS.  Too many times people who do something mediocre actually get standing ovations.  

When someone sings a solo in church, I get funny looks because I don't applaud.  The person was singing for GOD, not me.  

I don't applaud every time others do if I don't particularly like what I heard (even a speech).

Answer 5

Some people are not into clapping but enjoy things silently. Sometimes there's something about a performance that someone takes offense to so they don't clap. Some people have arthritic hands or other ailments that make it difficult to clap.

If you like to clap, go ahead, but it's not your business to be the clap police.  

Answer 6

I guess they didn't like it the way you did.  Can't think of any other reason they wouldn't clap.  Clapping signifies your enjoyment of the concert...guess they didn't enjoy it.

Answer 7

maybe they didn't find it interesting.

Answer 8

maybe they weren't impressed

Answer 9

Sinatra once said: "A crowd of people doesn't necessarily constitute an audience."  Apparently he'd experienced a luke-warm crowd a time or two himself.  Those guys obviously run with that crowd.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, that's what that band was there for...to give joy and in return be appreciated.

Answer 10

Clapping is like tipping.  If the service/event is good, then tipping/clapping is anticipated, but not required.