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.

Where do you put your beer when you want to do jazz hands?

Same place you put your beer when you clap :-)

I am autistic, and I hate loud clapping/cheering etc, but I would never expect other people to stop doing it, just for me. I just carry my very discreet earplugs with me - solves the problem with no hassle for anyone else.

'So this is how liberty dies.. With thunderous jazz hands.'.

sorry to non star wars fans..

Well this is beyond ridiculous.

So I’ve just asked Ds (15) “as an autistic person what do you think of this?”

His reply “Stupid. It’s ridiculous”.

Yeah, I asked mine also. First they asked what jazz hands are ........ Then when I showed them they said they would be more freaked out by everyone doing this than the noise of the clapping. They ended it by saying “and it’s just weird”. Wonder if the people who came up with this ridiculousness actually consulted people with autism?

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

You can only see the front row, when Deaf people 'clap' their hands are above their heads.

Who ever thought up this has never been to a performance / lecture with a mainly Deaf audience. Deaf people don't clap but ,along with the hand waving, if there is approval then there is stamping and rattling of chairs, a whole room vibrating is quite a things to experience.

Whilst I have every sympathy for anyone with anxiety or disability which would cause them discomfort in a public auditorium. Are we in danger of throwing out the baby with the bath water? What about the majority of the audience, and the performers/speakers? Are their thoughts and feelings to be ignored because a small minority have a problem? I am all for inclusivity, but should it be done to the detriment of the majority?

I thought John Lennon sorted all this out years ago.

If you’re in the cheap seats clap your hands, everyone else just rattle yer jewellery.

Ds goes to tap and jazz classesso he not only knew what jazz hands are I got a demonstration at 7.30am this morning!!

I'm autistic and have noise sensitivity, but ironically, I actually like a good clap as it reinforces the appreciation of the performance or the speaker etc.

I would like to see loud music in shops turned down or off though. That's definitely not inclusive, neither is those very strong smelling candles and reed diffusers they have everywhere now.

Anxiety can be alleviated with medication and self care like yoga, meditation etc.

I'm autistic and think this is ridiculous too. I don't particularly like loud clapping but it's something I've gotten used to. Loud cheering/whooping/screaming is too much so I stay away from events where there's likely to be lots of that, or I go and bring my headphones. I think I'd actually be more unsettled by the 'jazz hands' because it's so odd.

I actually like a good clap as it reinforces the appreciation of the performance or the speaker etc.
It's also a good pressure stim! I 'enjoy' whacking my hand against my leg because it gets some of the energy out of my body & it's solid (but not painful). Flapping is good but it needs to be less controlled than jazz hands, and a totally different position