Dear Liz,
Clapping is a group form of showing approbation. The Imperial House of Russia did not require the approval of it's subject but rather signs of respect, for example bowing. One would think that clapping would have been perceived by an Imperial Family member as rather insulting, since it is the method in which public performers are thanked by a crowd. Cheering on the other hand, under the correct context would be much more acceptable than clapping.
Since we are discussing the protocol and etiquette of clapping, I have another example of improper clapping, clapping in a church. At a cathedral I once attended regularly it was normal practice to have a pianist, a string quartet and a half dozen classically trained singers. After the grander music selections were played during the Mass, the parishioners would clap. I was highly embarrassed for the musicians and vocalist as well as embarrassed for my fellow parisheners display of collective ignorance. It seemed that the concept that the musicians and vocalists were performing for God escaped those in attendance and therefore did not require nor wanted any public show of approval for their efforts.
David
I know that this thread has been inactive for a long time, but I have always been told that one should not (in the USA) clap for the national anthem. I spent many years in musical organizations and that was what we were told.
Then I was also told that the crowd is not clapping for the national anthem, but for the musicians who are playing it.
I have never clapped in church during a religious service. Only when the church is being used as a venue for a public and non religious reason.
When I was a child, I was also told that one should never turn around to look at the choir in the loft if the loft is behind the congregation.
Many rules of etiquette have been shelved in the past 60 years or so. The rules were much more strict when I was younger.
Women always wore hats to church, but men never did. (No one even dresses for church anymore and one can see congregations wearing jeans and running suits.)
When in doubt about jewelry - don't wear any. When in doubt about a hat - wear it.
Another rule that has gone by the board is to wear black to a wake or funeral, but never to a wedding. And only the bride can wear white.
In this day and age, people go to funerals in bright colors and women wear black cocktail dresses to weddings all the time.
I could go on, but the past is past and well..... you know the rest. ;-)
