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University bans clapping, replaces ‘disrespectful’ cheering with ‘jazz hands’

Oct 03, 2018

Clapping is no longer allowed at the university. Source: Getty

One university in England has moved to ban clapping, replacing the “disrespectful” act with “jazz hands” in a bid to create a more inclusive environment.

The traditional cheering gesture will cease to exist at the University of Manchester as the noisy form of appreciation is apparently discouraging those with autism, sensory issues and deafness from attending events.

Instead of clapping, students will now have to cheer on others with the British Sign Language (BSL) equivalent of a wave of both hands, the BBC reports.

The BSL clapping will be used at all student events, including debates, panels and talks in hopes of encouraging more people to attend democratic events.

“I think a lot of the time, even in parliamentary debates, I’ve seen that clapping, whooping, talking over each other, loud noises, encourages an atmosphere that is not as respectful as it could be,” union officer Sara Khan told the broadcaster.

However, the alternative way of clapping that apparently creates a more respectful environment, has been criticised by some who believe it is a situation of PC gone mad.

Taking to social media to express their outrage, with UK TV star and journalist Piers Morgan claiming Britain is “losing it’s mind” by enforcing a change from the traditional clapping that has been used across the world for many years.

Britain’s losing its mind. pic.twitter.com/JVkPvr9bhW

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 2, 2018

One unimpressed user wrote: “Manchester university has banned clapping as it triggers anxiety. So students are being encouraged to use jazz hands. Because 30 people staring at you in silence doing jazz hands won’t make you feel uncomfortable in the slightest.”

While another said: “I’m still shocked that Manchester University students union has banned clapping. Clapping! If clapping is too much for you then you’re a very fragile person!”

This isn’t the first time people have been accused of enforcing a strict PC culture with former prime minister John Howard adding his two cents to the debate back in August after The Daily Telegraph revealed Australian Defence Force personnel are being told to stop using terms like ‘him’ or ‘her’ that could offend the LGBTI community.

Challenging what is fast becoming the norm, Howard slammed the country for reaching an out of control level of PC.

“It’s language madness,” The Daily Telegraph reported Howard said. “It is absolutely defies common sense to overturn millennia of language usage to describe men and women in the name of helping a minority.

“Nobody wants to persecute a minority. But you don’t protect a minority by rubbishing a majority.”

The PC debate has gone as far as one parent suggesting changes need to be made to the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty. The UK mother said the much loved children’s book doesn’t have a place in schools, as apparently the prince in the story is sexually assaulting Sleeping Beauty.