Clapping to be replaced by jazz hands at Manchester student union events

[TigerDrankAllTheWaterInTheTap]

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/clapping-banned-jazz-hands-university-15223965

This is because clapping and whooping are said to be problematic for people with hearing problems and/or anxiety and sensory issues. Jazz hands are to be used instead. I didn't know that was something from British Sign Language.

Is this really a big problem? Is this a proportionate response? Will it catch on in the wider world?

My AIBU was going to be to think this is ludicrous, but reading the bit about students with disabilities I'm not sure now. We need an 'I'm on the fence' emoticon.

I've just read that people used to wave napkins, or in Roman times, they flapped their toga.

We could make it really interesting by handing out different colored napkins that you use to show your opinion.

People watching Golf, or classical concerts have learned to adapt, I'm sure the rest of us will manage.

I'm autistic and suffer with anxiety and this is nuts.

They did it at the Paralympic Equestrian events so as not to startle horses or riders and that was entirely appropriate. In an audience of primarily neurotypical people, I think it's overkill. Clapping has been part of human behaviour since humans evolved surely. At an autism conference maybe. At university, then no I don't think it's necessary.

People will always clap and whoop.

DS1 has sensory issues and has to wear ear defenders at school. I don't expect the other kids to accommodate him, they're just doing what humans have always done.

Well, this is going to lead to tears for any performing company.

Imagine delivering a play, aria, opera, ballet and getting jazz hands back from your average uncoordinated audience.

And, as for what this would do for the morale of those in the usual school Nativity Play...

However, yes, there are some contexts in which this might be better than clapping.

I think it’s a bit silly - if you’re deaf you can still see clapping, but blind speakers will be stuffed.

I think it’s hard to be 100% inclusive of everyone. E.g. bright lights and noises (at road crossings) are essential for the deaf and blind but may cause stress to those with autism.

@Titsywoo

"We Will Rock You won't be quite the same"

Best comment ever

I have the type of hearing imparement where clapping could cause me an issue, more often than not it's the crap job the sound engineer has done of setting up the PA that causes me to suffer.
Thanks Sylvester, a much needed giggle was had!

What if you haven’t got any hands to jazz?

PC gone bloody mad.

Surely jazz hands are cultural appropriation and racist?

Banning the disproportionate whooping - yes , I was surprised at this at a formal event recently, and I could see that this would startle someone with issues. Banning all kinds of clapping - no. Not all clapping is a thunderous applause - it can be a gentle, appreciative ripple and it is an expected part of the the conclusion of a performance. If performers are on stage, with lighting , the audience cannot be clearly seen so any waving of hands won’t be seen anyway. And as other PPs have noted, it excludes both blind audience members ( who won’t know when and if others are doing it, have started it, have stopped it ) and blind performers who won’t have any sort of feedback/appreciation.

Asking that people are polite in their responses is a good thing but it is part of the usual pattern of social behaviour in the wider world and I doubt whether jazz hands are seriously going to be taken up universally.

Surely jazz hands are cultural appropriation and racist?

???????

I’m chronically ill. Not having wolf whistles, loud noises and loud clapping would make a difference to someone like me. These noises are too much of a shock to my system, which is already at full capacity just to get me through the day. Noises like this if too close to me literally take all of my energy way and I become able to move or speak for at least 10 mins. I can understand why it would create a sensory overload in others. There again I’m far too ill to attend these events so it would make little difference to me.

Im not trying to stay this is right or wrong. You asked if it is a proportionate response. Idk. What about blind people? They can hear clapping, but not see more silent gestures.

AlexanderHamilton, I take it you have never seen the Black and White Minstrel Show.

As far as I'm aware Bob Fosse was white American of Norweigan/Irish descent.

So awful for blind, visually impaired and possible triggering for epilepsy.

I'm autistic and to be honest the chances of getting me into an audience where there are enough people that clapping would bother me are remarkably small. I'd be freaked out by the crowds long before the noise. If we're going to be fully-inclusive then can we make the events for just a few people at a time and much more local to me as Manchester is way outside my comfort zone

I would certainly develop anxiety if hundreds of people around me started doing jazz hands. It's fucking weird.

Yes, this. Exactly.

I don't get it. Supposedly to be inclusive. Except it's not for blind people. The reality is that not everything in the world is going to be inclusive for absolutely everyone and who gets to choose including certain groups over others?

I take it you have never seen the Black and White Minstrel Show
I preferred Joey's jazz hands in the Friends episodes where he tried to get a job that involved dancing

I'm currently trying out how best to do a 'sarcastic' slow clap in jazz hand form. But you'd have to do a lot with the face to accompany the hands to convey the message successfully. I'll have to learn to raise one eyebrow.

I get that loud noises can be really horrible for people, me included but I imagine this is going to be really tricky to enforce.

It's a simple change that will mean that everyone will get the most out of the experience.

Which is simply not true as for most people as clapping is a universal sign of enjoyment and approval and adds atmosphere to whatever the event may be. ‘Jazz hands’ is just an embarrassingly shit idea. Seriously, you are a speaker or a musician and at the end of your speech or concert you look up and see what can only be described as mass escape from the Jim Henson Creature Workshop.

I've never seen the black and white minstrel show but Fosse's choreography just about pre-dated the show so I wonder if they took his influence (which was huge at the time with shows such as The Pyjama Game and Sweet Charity)

I've been beaten to pointing out that its cultural appropriation..

I attended an autism conference a while ago where we were asked to do this instead of clapping. Both I and my autistic ds found it fun but I'm not sure if it was helpful to others or not.

I attended an autism conference a while ago where we were asked to do this instead of clapping.
How did they tell who was being appreciative and who was feeling stressed and just flapping?

I'm imagining a room of jazz hands and am struggling to see how that helps anyone with sensory overload problems.