Don’t clap, use jazz hands instead, students are told

STUDENTS have been banned from clapping and told to wave their hands in the air instead to avoid alarming audience members who don’t like loud noises.

Critics said the vote by Manchester University’s students’ union to replace clapping with ‘jazz hands’ at union events was the latest example of overreaction at universities as they try to avoid anyone being offended.

The technique involves waving both hands in the air as a silent substitute for applause.

The change was passed by the union’s senate in response to a motion by its ‘liberation and access officer’, Sara Khan. It was argued at the meeting that the loud noise of traditional clapping could cause problems for those with anxiety or sensory issues and that British Sign Language clapping, also known as ‘jazz hands’, would be a more inclusive form of expression.

‘Jazz hands’ has already been adopted by other student bodies, including the National Union of Students, to avoid upsetting those who suffer from anxiety.

But many criticised the move. Among them was Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, who posted a link to the vote on Twitter with an image of young men in the trenches during the First World War, commenting: ‘Glad some brave young souls decided to ignore the difficulties caused by sudden noises 100 years ago.’