More on clapping

I've never been applauded after speaking which is no surprise to anyone. I know there are cultural differences but Mark's post makes a good point. I applaud him!

Every conference I have ever been to has had mixed content. My view would be if you get one really good session at a conference you are doing well and should be pleased. It's rare you get more than one or two outstanding sessions. One problem with applauding is what do you do with the guy who's just not done well. We've all had that experience where it's just bombed or there's a flatness in what's being said. At that point to get a round of applause is slightly false isn't it? Can people tell when it's a sympathy applause?

Once you start clapping where do you stop? Is a Whoop inappropriate? why not a whistle? Surely the vuvuzela is a step too far?

I'm preaching through 2 Corinthians at the moment and it would seem to me that clapping and applause would be pretty foreign to the apostle Paul