Standing ovation, a (not so) Indonesian way

Standing ovation

No matter how engaged we are in watching a theatrical play, no matter how brilliant we find a singer on stage reaching high notes at the end of a song, and no matter how amazing it is to see an orchestra present a symphony, the majority of us, Indonesian audience, don't feel giving a standing ovation is a must.

Conversely, we often feel awkward to stand up from our comfy seats just to clap hands. Well, it doesn't mean we don't appreciate the performers. We do; and that's why we give applause--right on our seats. Clapping while standing, on the other hand, feels 'so Western'.

I know several people might prove me wrong. They may give a standing ovation at the end of a splendid performance. What usually follows is other people showing the same gesture. But it's always the case that there must be some 'agents provocateurs' prompting others to execute the action. It just doesn't dwell naturally in the individual habit of each person.

So, to any foreign artist having a gig in town, don't feel bad if your audience clap their hands merely on their seats. To stand up in (and thus stand out from) the crowd is a source of embarrassment for many of us.

PS. And Indonesians with limited English call the action standing applause, instead of standing ovation.