Here’s something that nuts my bugs: when people in a theater applaud after a movie ends. This typically happens when you see a big blockbuster on opening weekend, but it can also be pretty random. I’ve never done it, and I’ve never understood it. Who are you clapping for? Unless you’re at a premiere, the director and cast aren’t there, so they can’t hear you. Are you clapping for the projectionist? Do you feel the overwhelming desire to let the other film-goers know that you approve of what you’ve just seen? Do you boo after a movie you don’t like? Imagine you’re at a party listening to a CD, do you applaud after the CD ends? Do you applaud after every TV show you watch? What’s the difference?
Anyway, this is yet another reason I’m a home video man. But summer movie season is soon upon us, and I’ll likely be going to the theater a few times and enduring this baffling ritual. I’m just going to pretend that they’re clapping for me.
Hard Ticket to Home Video 
Am British, we don’t applaud 😀
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You tap your canes on the floor, right?
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Yes and when we are shocked we drop our monocles 😀
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I always wonder too as there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason behind it.
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Precisely. It’s like applauding after you read this post, which I hope everyone does!
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I’m applauding for your post though! Because I do that sometimes when I crack up..and that little write up did it 🙂 LOL! But no, I don’t applaud for movies. I mean, I not only not understand why..but my boyfriend tends to be the first to get up after the credits start rolling so to avoid the rush getting out of the parking lot..haha!
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Thanks! I used to rush out too but then nearly every movie started having an “after-credits” scene and now I feel compelled to stay for it, since I already spent $67 to see the movie and all.
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After last year’s Avengers after credits scenes…I’ve been trying to make the boyfriend stay longer..haha. Sometimes, it works…
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The first time that happened at the theater I jumped up and looked all around, “What happened? What are they clapping about?” lol. Yeah, I don’t quite get it, either.
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Have never understood applauding for a movie either – so ridiculous.
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I usually on applaud at a movie premiere, or sometimes at the most anticipated movies of the year. I don’t applaud alone, of course!
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What if you’re the only person in the theater, though?
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If the movie was really good, I’d applaud alone!
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I voted no, because I don’t generally stand up and start clapping after the film is over. I have a few times, because I did attend some independent films and student films, and I wanted to show support for everyone who was there that had been involved with the film; but when I just go to see a movie on a Sunday afternoon at my local theater, no, I don’t stand up and clap when it’s over.
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Well yeah that’s a totally different scenario. If the filmmakers are actually there then you definitely should applaud. Unless it’s Kevin Smith.
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I think it’s part of the shared human experience of seeing a movie in a group of people. There’s something about a simultaneous emotional reaction shared with a large group of people that probably makes people feel part of something bigger than themselves, for a second. I applaud with them, if I liked the movie, then I leave and go back to my misanthropic ways. To be fair, I also find it amusing when people shout advice at the characters on the screen, especially in horror audiences. But I can also understand why the clapping is annoying to you.
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It’s not so much annoying I guess since I’m leaving the theater anyway as it is just puzzling to me.
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I do but only if the the film was really terrible. We have a theater chain out here in So Cal called Krikorian and back in the day they did this welcome to the theater montage ad sort of deal where the ushers would come out and clap before the film in unison with the theater chains theme song. Often times the crowd would join in with the clapping. It has been at least ten years since they promoted this nonsense. However, even now, without fail some morons will start clapping along when they play the intro music post previews. Irritates the crap out of me.
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But even if the film is terrible to you there will probably be other people in the theater who liked it and will clap for it, and if you clap because it was bad they’ll just think you’re clapping with them because you liked it.
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Well I like to use my special golf clap for such occasions. Or maybe everyone clapping is also being sarcastic. Or maybe no one is clapping at all, and it’s all in your head. 😉
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WHOA……..
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😉
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Keep these articles coming as they’ve opened many new doors for me.
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WHAT??? You DON’T CLAP at the end of my posts??? I APPLAUD and sometimes weep every time you boys post something…..
: (
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I usually pass out then vomit on my chest at the end of your posts, and where I come from there’s no higher honor.
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But no “applause” – got it!!
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I don’t applaud but if I hate a movie I curse the screen, spit on the floor and set my seat on fire!
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Before you get up!
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I will admit it–I have clapped at the end of some films (but not all). Why? Honestly, it is spontaneous. When something is really good and you end in a “high”–sometimes it ends with applause. I have never thought about it or forced it–it just happens and it is usually a group reaction. If I thought about it, I would have to say it is a shared emotion and experience. One of the best things about watching a film with a large crowd (especially, midnight shows) is that we are all 100% invested–you laugh together, jump together, feel together–and afterwards, if it is worthy…you applaud. I am not talking standing ovations and “bravos!”–just a solid clapping and a well placed–“Woohoo!” 😀 and with that everyone shares in one more last thing…approval.
That is my explanation–hope that helps. But, hey I can understand the pondering…it is a strange phenomenon.
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I can see it from that perspective, although most of the time I’m just ready to get away from the people in the theater because they were talking and kicking the back of my chair for 2 hours.
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Funny you asked this, I asked the same question to Eric in an interview I’m doing. Are you spying on me? Again?
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I never stopped………..
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Zoinks.
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“when you see a big blockbuster on opening weekend” I don’t do that too often. Honestly I can’t remember the last time I heard someone clap at a movie. I wouldn’t care if they did though, no big deal.
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