Clap On

Have you ever watched people clap their hands?   I mean like when they are applauding or when they are keeping time to the music?  No two people ever seem to do it the same.  Some folks applaud enthusiastically.  They slap their hands together slightly crossed wildly and joyfully.  Others clap gently, as if they are afraid to be heard.  Some folks clap their hands together lined up as if to pray, but instead bringing them together to make a happy noise. 

Some people stand up and put one arm in the air and wait for it to be met in a "high five" by someone else who shares the moment of exaltation.  Some daintier clappers hold one hand very still and politely tap the fingers of their other hand on the palm making a sound like water falling on water.  And their are some people who sit on their hands and grit their teeth and would never give anyone the satisfaction of knowing they were appreciative of what had just occurred, whether it be a moving piece of music, a stirring drama,  a rousing or inspirational oration or just a moment of sheer joy.

Clapping hands seems to be a universal non-verbal expression of emotion the world over.  And of course their is the old woman who wants the lights to turn off so she has the clap-on, clap-off thing-a-ma-bob on her bedside lamp.  And a clap on the back signals approval or understanding. 

Nothing signals approval more than a rousing round of applause.  And it is totally human just how unique each clapper claps.  So clap your hands if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands if you really wanna show it.  Clap a hand with a friend.  As a simple indicator of the average opinion of an entire group, the louder and longer the noise, the stronger the sign of approval.  And even thought there are times when clapping may not be appropriate, you can still let your heart applaud the moment with a smile or a nod.