Am I now so hopelessly behind the times?

[burge]

Poll

Comments

[lostchaos]

Need more data. A slow hand clap that stays slow reads to me as derision. I picture a person doing it and saying in the most sarcastic way imaginable, "oh how very nice for you".

But one that speeds up to a normal applause rate is good.

[apiphile]

That is how I interpret this also.

[burge]

If instructions say "slow clap" is it reasonable to assume that it stays slow? Slow hand claps that speed up are something I've only experienced at gigs, and I've come to believe that it's only because the young don't do foot-stomping for encores any more.

[zoecb]

Yes! One of those. They start slow and then everyone joins in as in mass approval to amazing speech in the vein of Martin Luther King or something.

[tyrell]

Nah, I assumed it was derision too. Same as "Golf clap" - only ever seen it used sarcastically. Could be missing a whole chunk of its modern usage, though.

[zoecb]

I'm drawing my information mainly from 'Not another teen movie'. Group response to congratulatory romantic ending airport chase to stop girl getting on plane, if I remember rightly.

Then again I've often intended sincerity when other people use sarcasm, such as in praising High School Musical.

[burge]

May I speak in my professional capacity? Your information source is fundamentally unreliable.

Yrs,
A. Librarian

[zoecb]

I really wouldn't call a film designed specifically to be full of references to be unreliable, quite the opposite.

I think only the spitefully cycnical would mean it sarcastically.

Sadly that is most English.

[burge]

And American, Welsh and Irish, going by the amount of people who have voted "derision".

The demos has spoken. Can you at least admit that you're in the wrong?

[chatirygirl]

It seems that a slow hand clap is supportive when watching marathon runners. I had no idea and found it bizarre as a slow hand clap for me is indicative of derision. But apparently it's the done thing.

[parkcooper]

It's normally derision... but I can imagine an exception. I can see it being used for genuine overwhelmed awe. A figure skater jumps in the air and spins around three times like a top and lands perfectly. Applause. Then the next girl, whom no one expected much from, gets up to speed and then spins around four times in the air while also somersaulting twice end over end at the same time while also twirling a flaming baton and then lands perfectly and catches non-flaming middle of baton in teeth. >smattering of very slow applause as jaws hang open

[chrisisiddall]

But you also have to take into account change of pace. As the applause for the twirling looping skater not setting fire to themselves will go from slow handclap to rapturous and rapid applause, there will also be cheers, whoops and whistling. If it stays slow, the mob are taking the piss.