Whooping at a graduation

[Welliesandtweed]

I attended my sisters MSc graduation today. Mostly undergraduates and a few post grads.

There were some sections of the audience whooping when the names were called out. Is it not a little crass to whooping at a formal event.

I agree with a PP who pointed out that graduations are formal but joyful, not everything that is formal needs to be solemn. Graduations celebrate the graduands.

Whooping at the end of songs or the show is fine

And the very least of the issues with people's behaviour at the theatre

A cheer, applause, that should be enough. What the OP describes is over the top.

Happiness and joy is so lower class isn’t it? 🙄

As one of the academics who is often on stage at these events - I think the whooping is great! Cheer, whoop, clap, smile and celebrate- this is what your kids have worked for! One of the nicest things I have seen at graduation was a girl so happy to get her degree she danced across the stage. It’s fantastic! Don’t be a grump.

Wow, I actually laughed at the ridiculousness of the OP, then sat open-mouthed that people agree!

It's a celebration ffs

I think Hyacinth Bucket’s son Sheridan must have finally graduated and she has found MN.

So many people on Mumsnet fall over themselves to act a certain way. All very Hyacinth Bucket. My MIL is the same- won’t do anything perceived as ‘common’ because ‘what would people think??’. Those who are genuinely happy and comfortable with who they are wouldn’t give a shit about people celebrating others. Also, looking at the comments, imagine the horror of someone acting American??? It looks like this is part of the African culture from other posts- why aren’t people saying ‘these graduation ceremonies are becoming more and more African’???

Unfortunately this was encouraged by those officiating at Manchester Uni graduations this summer. It was a shame as sometimes the name of the next person was totally drowned out by people still whooping and shouting.
I was sitting on a raised platform at the back so could see the rest of the audience pretty well. It was really noticable that those whooping and hollering for 'their' person tended to not bother even clapping for others, sat chatting on scrolling phones. Those that just applauded, clapped for every single person. Very sad I thought.

I’m another one! Personally I love the way the ceremonies become more characterful as people warm up: the exaggerated deep, low doffing of hats, the theatrical posing and loud cheering all turn a rather staid, dull event into something a lot more joyous.

I love seeing successions of students enjoying the success they’ve worked for, but in reality graduation ceremonies are pretty boring and I include my own three in that. Anything to liven them up. In my day no one carried bouquets, though.

The only one lowering the tone is you with your language....

That's ok they've been removed now. I'd wager they didn't go to a prestigious university, having both studied at one and lectured at one, they play hard because they work hard. They are some of the most raucous celebraters.

When dd graduated from Nottingham university last year her brother - 13 and with autism / complex needs - whooped and stood up and clapped really loudly for her! We had no idea he was going to do that, it was very sweet, he was just so proud of her! 🙈❤️

Sorry OP I think yabu. Whooping is fine and has even been encouraged at the graduations I've been to.

I whooped for my children! (Possibly quite quietly...). I was so proud. There was lots of whooping. Graduation is so lovely (even if the event is a bit dull) and I felt so pleased for all the other parents there (and their children of course).

All the snobs saying it's uncouth or crass. Jeez.

Yes it is crass. I hate all this whooping and screeching at things. What’s wrong with just clapping.

I agree OP. There are often loads of people to get through and excessively whooping for one graduate kind of overshadows the next name called.

It's a graduation, not a funeral. It's a celebration of an achievement resulting from years of hard work. Damn right the graduates deserve a whoop and a cheer!

I am pretty quiet and well behaved normally and we were asked not to whoop or clap unless our person had won a special prize too. Luckily my daughter had her PhD and a prize so there was whooping.

If its drowning out the next name then that's the fault of the person reading names out

They need to pause and give them chance to calm

That's what they've done at the ones I've been to

Don't be ridiculous - they are on a time schedule. There are X number of graduands waiting to cross the stage. In most Universities they have more than one ceremony in a day. Plus, it is a long enough time for most people to be sitting without giving everyone treble the time that is needed.

I whooped at my DD graduation. She’s disabled and I was told she’d never walk, talk or attend mainstream school. Despite all the odds, she did all of the above & completed a degree at Uni. So yes, I damn well whooped with joy for her and for me and all the struggles we had to get to that point. Whoop away everyone, who cares if you’re seen as “crass”!

When I graduated from my PhD the academic party on stage were all my colleagues… they cheered when I walked across the stage.

I attend lots of graduations and my favourite are always the ones with lots of whoops and cheers. They make me smile

Some of us have bought our tickets to hear the actors / singers / play / script, not drunken audience members.

I know exactly how long it takes

I've worked enough of them

They still take time