General Question

rebbel's avatar

Have you also witnessed a devaluation of the standing ovation?

Asked by rebbel (35553points) April 23rd, 2012

Over the last few years, when attending plays and stand up-/music performances, I found that no matter how mediocre the performance was, every time the artist(s) received (a) standing ovation(s).
I am sure that when I went to the theatre when I was younger these signs of appreciation were only given when the audience felt that they had been experiencing something truly wonderful/innovative/exceptional.
Have you experienced this too?
If so, what do you think has triggered this behavior?
If anything, what could be done to tackle this (provacatively staying in my chair while 449 others are standing up around me does not work)?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

12 Answers

Blondesjon's avatar

It’s a side-effect of the whole “everybody gets a trophy/everybody is special” movement.

janbb's avatar

Have noticed it; sometimes I stay seated and sometimes I am shamed into standing.

JLeslie's avatar

Yes, I have noticed. I also have noticed a lack of applause when a performer has been fantastic in the middle of an act. Some people applaud, but not many. Not that I want applause every 5 minutes, but when someone has been amazing, their voice or a dance number, I feel compelled to applaud them during the performance. The others who do the same, I am assuming the are experienced theatre goers, but maybe it is the opposite, maybe now you are not supposed to disturb the performance?

janbb's avatar

Have noticed it; sometimes I stay seated and sometimes I am shamed into conforming!

rebbel's avatar

@janbb Or into herdimaling.

janbb's avatar

or penguining or lemming-like behavior…..

Plucky's avatar

I have noticed it yes. I agree with @Blondesjon on the reasoning. I have no idea on how to tackle it. It’s a newer societal thing that won’t go away overnight.

digitalimpression's avatar

Well I can concur. Not many have been quite so cool as Victor Borge in the last few years. He’s an example of someone that deserved one.

Nullo's avatar

I’ve noticed it. I suspect that the root of the problem is that people want to give standing ovations (which were rare and special, even for the audience), even when they are unwarranted.

Aethelflaed's avatar

Why don’t I remember this time in which people only standing O’d things that were genuinely deserving? Seems like it’s always been the case that some crowds will just give it away. I notice it more in certain venues than others. And most of them consist more of a few people standing up, and then everyone else begrudgingly following, lest they be seen as unappreciative or uncultured. But it’s always been this way.

zensky's avatar

At the end of a performance you stand and stretch your legs while clapping – what’s the big deal?

rebbel's avatar

Thank you all, for sharing your thoughts on this!

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther