At the end of the above average but not spectacular production half of the audience rose to their feet in a rousing standing ovation.
I stayed where I was.
The idea of pounding the palms of my hands together to declare my appreciation does not fit in any mode of communication that conveys any sincerity in my mind.
To rise to my feet and bang my hands together to communicate my excess of emotion and gratitude is even more puzzling.
Social customs demand context and I suppose in the theater, the customs and traditions are carried out with as little speculation of their efficacy as possible.
I am usually faking it, more conscience of self than communication.
I often wonder how many other people are faking it and how many people hold fast to this tradition because it means something.
Slap your hands together, rise to your feet, slap harder.
2 comments:
Agreed. It seems impossible to go to a performance without feeling obligated to participate in the standing ovation. Maybe in places like New York people are more discerning? If it was only okay, then I would rather not pretend I thought it was amazing.
clapping when i like something comes naturally to me... which makes me really hate obligatory standing ovations. unless it was amazing or the performers were amateur child actors, it's insincere for me to stand and clap. so i usually don't.
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