The clapping, please make it stop.

[orangejuicer]

Is it just every week we are in lockdown or is that it forever and we have become a nation of clappers? Do I need to move?

I'm a front line NHS worker. I like it, and the colleagues I've spoken to about it like it too. It is nice to feel appreciated.

Mumsnet just seems to whinge about other people's 'virtue signalling' while sitting on their sofas and drinking wine.

Doing it every night on my street in NYC and at first I wanted no part, but now all ages of neighbors out and smiling for a brief moment feels like a respite from the noise in your head and the sound of sirens

@ArtistofTheFloatingWorld - couldn’t agree more - thank you and stay safe 🌈

@ArtistOfTheFloatingWorld - ah yeah, sofa and wine in lockdown is all we have, apart from bitterness. If it weren't for all these things we wouldn't be able to do lockdown right.

There are NHS workers on this thread telling us how much they love it, feel appreciated by it and people are still saying it’s pointless. Well if you can boost morale during this time why wouldn’t you? It doesn’t cost anything. I’ve never seen such community spirit before, that being one of the positives that will come from this horrific time. But some of you won’t clap because you think you are above that - listen to yourselves! People clapping are simple, rough, attention seeking, the ones who flout the rules... It’s wonderful you have such high opinions of yourselves but maybe think about removing the stick from your backsides and do something nice for others.

I like doing it, and it makes me feel part of the community. I can't see them from my window, but hearing everyone clapping as a mark of respect is fantastic. I live alone and I will keep doing it as long as I like.

So this thread has gone the usual way they do. Thanks for the abuse and wishing the virus on me, just for expressing an opinion shared by many.

Nobody has answered my question though, is the clapping continuing for every week in lockdown?

I was out running with the two young adults self isolating with us, and we got caught in the virtue signal bollocks (I also live in a Tory town 😭) and when we reached home my elderly neighbours pointedly said 'I hope you clapped while you were running'. AS THEY STOOD LESS THAN A METRE AWAY from our other elderly neighbours having a good old chat. No doubt basking in the warm glow of their loveliness. Moronic. We did clap on our run, as we were a bit scared of the huge crashing social disapproval. We hope it magically made some PPE equipment appear in a shower of fairy dust somewhere.

It’s the kind of thing I’d normally hate and I felt a bit foolish the first time, but now I like it! We let our DS who is 5 stay up last night and join in. It was nice seeing all the neighbours on their steps doing it. I like it and will do for as long as it’s a ‘thing’. I expect it will be weekly now until the end of lockdown. Although DH is a key worker (not NHS) and he (jokingly) said afterwards “thanks for clapping for me” which led to a massive 🙄😂

Yesterday was the first time I have been able to take part and It made me quite emotional. It was only a few minutes but it was lovely to see everyone and wave to the neighbours. We could hear the fog horns from the boats too.

We were clapping for the NHS and a lot of people in our road work for the local hospital so I hope they felt encouraged. I thought it felt like an act of defiance against the virus and the circumstances. I will take my saucepan next week!

The clapping is fine, but the saucepan banging, fireworks and car horns wakes up DD. Both me and DP are NHS workers - give us a pay rise not a clap.

My friend in Spain said they are doing it every night, so I think once a week isn't overly extreme!

I’d applaud your cat too @ClientQ 😍😍

My wife's a doctor. We don't join in because (a) she would feel awkward applauding herself and (b) we don't want to explain to our young children that everyone is applauding to show their appreciation to medical staff, like mum, who are risking their lives.

I thought it felt like an act of defiance against the virus

You can't defy a virus. It doesn't give a shit. And, if like a lot of people are doing, you forgot to keep two metres from other people during your hand flapping frenzy, you potentially just created an environment in which the virus can travel.

I was out running with the two young adults self isolating with us

@Fizzysours No, you weren't. Going out for a run while maintaining a 2m space from others is social distancing, which is what everyone is currently supposed to be doing. Self-isolating is what you're supposed to do if you or others in the household are ill, and involves staying at home and, if at all possible, not going out at all, for any reason including exercise or buying food.

We had Jerusalem, various brass band instruments and the World Champion whistler doing Danny Boy.

Can’t wait to see what next week brings.

Both me and DP are NHS workers - give us a pay rise not a clap.

I would love to, but it's not in my gift and it's why I left the NHS (band 3 was less than supermarket wages). In the meantime, I want to show my appreciation.

If ever people were going to be miserable about this - and be precious over their child's bedtime - it was always going to be on Mumsnet!

I don't particularly like it but, if anything, it's an opportunity to wave at my neighbours and share a moment of fellow feeling with them. An immediate neighbour banged a pot and we could hear others with fireworks in the distance. A few car horns went off. This is a Labour voting area. There is already solid nhs support.

Again, not being miserable, just not sure what it achieves. Yes it's inconvenient but I didn't say it was more than that. There are other, more practical ways to support the NHS.

I hope nobody on this thread has called out the police on their neighbours' parties - without clapping for them too!

It gets on my nerves. I appreciate the efforts of everyone at the moment, the NHS included. I dont need to broadcast that appreciation to the world to get it validated.
Mind, I'm a loner, I'm enjoying the solitude of lock down, I'm very comfortable with myself. Maybe this shows all those who aren't and who need validation, those who are really missing socialising and doing stuff.
Maybe the ones that still clap are the ones that question everyone else's movements during lock down.

Don't get me wrong, the first time wa a lovely genuine thought but after that it seems forced and your judged for not doing it, hence my above opinion.

DH’s aunt posts a video of herself every week banging a gong! It’s definitely the who can make the most noise that’s hacking me off. Show your appreciation subtly or you’re not doing it for them. You’re doing it for yourself.

Another Tory safe seat here too.

If I were able to the appreciation would be more practical, more money, resources for them, plenty refreshments whilst working long hours. I cant do it so I quietly just wish them well. The clapping serves to more than making clappers feel better.

Those being accused of being fun sponges and being miserable.. it's not meant to be a moment of fun or socialising with your neighbours.

What I can't stand about it most is the shaming of those of us who don't wish to be out in the street clapping, it seems like an empty gesture to me so I don't partake. Now that its become a weekly ritual that's gotten louder I definitely won't be involved.
It's simply performance for your neighbours now at this point. The first one I get, it was sort of spontaneous and nice but it's lost it's real meaning in the competition for who can show their appreciation the loudest.
I text my friend who works for the nhs regularly to see how she's coping, I offer my support in being a outlet for her to talk.
I've donated what I can to help.
I don't feel the need to be out displaying to my street that I appreciate the nhs. It's crass.

Also I've noticed it's become the key worker olympics all over social media with some essential workers feeling they aren't getting as much support. Care workers for example not being allowed to shop at the special times set aside for other key workers, because they don't carry an nhs ID badge. it's a real shame.