# Why are you idiots clapping when the plane lands? (mild) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2010, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975 "2010-10-13T09:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/81 "2010-10-14T03:40:24Z")
I was on one flight where everybody applauded when it landed. We were stuck on the tarmac in Hartford for about an hour prior to takeoff, there was a crying baby on board, then we circled Atlanta for God knows how long, and when the plane finally touched the ground, we all just started clapping for the ordeal was almost over. Except for sitting on the tarmac at Hartsfield for 30 more minutes 'cause our gate had another plane in it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/82 "2010-10-14T03:42:17Z")
Clapping on landing is very common in Asia and the Middle East particularly on long haul flights. It is becoming less common. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/83 "2010-10-14T04:39:38Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I can only imagine the rooftop jubilation at seeing your plane leave. WTF, that’s a little uncalled for. A “cute anecdote about people clapping for airplanes” story is not uncalled for in a “people clapping for airplanes” thread. If you have an issue with me it’d be far more productive to address me directly (or use the ever-handy “ignore feature”) rather than randomly snarking innocuous posts. ---
**Author:** ![Redpill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58956e/32.png) [@Redpill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redpill)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/84 "2010-10-14T05:53:34Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > > [@Redpill](#): > > > > Completely normal, I even clap and hi-five myself when I pull into a parking spot. ( and the wave if I have passengers ) > > Isn’t clapping just rapidly and repeatedly hi-fiving yourself anyway? Only if one repeatedly chants “high-five” while clapping. I’ll try it next time. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/85 "2010-10-14T06:13:04Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > The only time I remember hearing passengers clap is while flying with Canadians. > > The pilot probably does not want to die either, so that probably encourages him to avoid crashing into mountains. > I do not understand the clapping either. FRENCH Canadians for me. I flew for years, but I never got the round of applause treatment until I flew out of Dorval with a plane almost completely populated by Francophones. ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/86 "2010-10-14T07:09:51Z")
I think I shall start clapping taxi drivers and bus drivers when they reach my destination! Should get a fun reaction! On an aside a stewardess I know tells me its an economy class phenomenon. She also told me the particular pilots of that airline called economy passengers SLF ( Self loading Freight) and the Business passengers (SLFF) Self Loading Fragile Freight. looks like we have fun from both sides ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/87 "2010-10-14T15:40:18Z")
Apparently takeoff is more deserving of applause, according to [this Salon Q&A article](http://www.salon.com/technology/ask_the_pilot/2010/08/30/question_and_answer/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/88 "2010-10-14T16:01:41Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > WTF, that’s a little uncalled for. A “cute anecdote about people clapping for airplanes” story is not uncalled for in a “people clapping for airplanes” thread. If you have an issue with me it’d be far more productive to address me directly (or use the ever-handy “ignore feature”) rather than randomly snarking innocuous posts. Agreed. Withdrawn. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/89 "2010-10-14T17:06:24Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > One one local airline, passengers make single claps at random in the air and also against the seats throughout the flight due to the fly and flee problem. Is “fly and flee” the airplane version of a “dine and dash”? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/90 "2010-10-14T19:25:25Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > Did you think not turning the plane into a fireball and crashing into a mountain was a special treat? > > It kinda is. I’m sure if this happened (and you somehow survived it) you’d be bitching all over the place. Learn some gratitude, asshole. Um…yeah dumbass. I sort of would be bitching all over the place if the pilot crashed my plane into a mountain. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/91 "2010-10-14T19:26:28Z")
I’m going to start clapping on the subway whenever it makes its stops. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/92 "2010-10-15T02:36:22Z")
It’s an expression of relief: “Oh, thank God, we’re about to get out of these awful seats and on to solid land! Yay!” At least, that’s why I do it. In some flights they do cheering, too. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/93 "2010-10-15T06:36:28Z")
> [@born\_too\_late](#): > > Apparently takeoff is more deserving of applause, according to [this Salon Q&A article](http://www.salon.com/technology/ask_the_pilot/2010/08/30/question_and_answer/index.html). But if you clapped after takeoff and then the plane exploded midflight you’d look pretty silly. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/94 "2010-10-15T06:45:44Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > > [@Rigamarole](#): > > > > It kinda is. I’m sure if this happened (and you somehow survived it) you’d be bitching all over the place. Learn some gratitude, asshole. > > Um…yeah dumbass. I sort of would be bitching all over the place if the pilot crashed my plane into a mountain. And yet you can’t muster enough humility out of your pathetic, entitled ass when someone takes your life in their hands and does you a service that is by no means easy to at least _understand_ why others (who aren’t as jackassy as you) might be grateful for it. I’m not an especially clappy person myself to be honest - but you don’t see me coming here to mock the people who do, because I _get it_. Maybe when someone you love does die in a blood-drenched fiery ball of twisted metal you’ll grow the fuck up and learn to appreciate the people who get you there safe and sound. But then again probably not - you do seem like a miserable little fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/95 "2010-10-15T08:28:06Z")
OK, try this on for size: I saw the premier midnight showing of _The Dark Knight_ in a little, podunk theater in little, podunk Havre, MT, where tumbleweeds blow down Main St. and the nearest sushi place is five hours away. Before the film, there was a trailer for _Watchmen_. I was quite impressed with it, certainly, as it represented another artifact of the Mass Subculture infiltrating well beyond where it would have a few decades ago. I can’t claim to ‘believe in’ theaters as being 100% future-proof, but seeing things on the big screen does have more punch than huddling over a computer monitor. When the trailer was over, people applauded. Not just a smattering, but a fairly sustained and popular response. I joined in. Commence your outraged putdowns. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/96 "2010-10-15T09:25:14Z")
Oh, I’ll forgive you and even offer to share the popcorn, **Derleth** , seeing how I cheered after being proved right in that “Badass black dude + vampires = Blade” (the boyfriend had been saying “naw, can’t be” all through the trailer). ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/97 "2010-10-15T09:46:36Z")
So… this thread is pretty much “Fucking foreigners, I hate them all.” Charming. ---
**Author:** ![SevenOfTeemingMillions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@SevenOfTeemingMillions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SevenOfTeemingMillions)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/98 "2010-10-15T10:21:11Z")
I remember a group of people somewhere at the back of the plane clapping when the plane landed. I thought someone made an announcement like “I’m engaged!” and people were congratulating them. It’s only when I read this thread that I find out it’s a custom in certain parts. > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > It kind of reminds me of people who get upset by little things like saying “No problem” for “Thank you.” It actually makes me want to do it even more, too. 😃 People get upset over “No problem”? Why? > [@Derleth](#): > > OK, try this on for size: > > I saw the premier midnight showing of _The Dark Knight_ in a little, podunk theater in little, podunk Havre, MT, where tumbleweeds blow down Main St. and the nearest sushi place is five hours away. > > Before the film, there was a trailer for _Watchmen_. I was quite impressed with it, certainly, as it represented another artifact of the Mass Subculture infiltrating well beyond where it would have a few decades ago. I can’t claim to ‘believe in’ theaters as being 100% future-proof, but seeing things on the big screen does have more punch than huddling over a computer monitor. > > When the trailer was over, people applauded. Not just a smattering, but a fairly sustained and popular response. > > I joined in. > > Commence your outraged putdowns. I am OUTRAGED!! The nearest sushi place is FIVE HOURS AWAY?!? OUTRAGEOUS!! ---
**Author:** ![Random\_Design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58f4c7/32.png) [@Random\_Design](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random_Design)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/99 "2010-10-15T12:01:29Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > > > I can only imagine the rooftop jubilation at seeing your plane leave. > > WTF, that’s a little uncalled for. A “cute anecdote about people clapping for airplanes” story is not uncalled for in a “people clapping for airplanes” thread. If you have an issue with me it’d be far more productive to address me directly (or use the ever-handy “ignore feature”) rather than randomly snarking innocuous posts. Actually it kind of _is_ uncalled for, seeing as the thread isn’t titled _people_ clapping, but rather _idiots_ clapping. I don’t think the OP was looking for any heart-warming cutesie tales of natives doing what he’s complaining about. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975/100 "2010-10-15T12:46:28Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > Um…yeah dumbass. I sort of would be bitching all over the place if the pilot crashed my plane into a mountain. > > And yet you can’t muster enough humility out of your pathetic, entitled ass when someone takes your life in their hands and does you a service that is by no means easy to at least _understand_ why others (who aren’t as jackassy as you) might be grateful for it. I’m not an especially clappy person myself to be honest - but you don’t see me coming here to mock the people who do, because I _get it_. Maybe when someone you love does die in a blood-drenched fiery ball of twisted metal you’ll grow the fuck up and learn to appreciate the people who get you there safe and sound. But then again probably not - you do seem like a miserable little fuck. Maybe you should go die in a blood drenched fiery ball of twisted metal you hypersensitive jackass. Then you’d see me clap. Now why don’t you take a deep breath, stop pretending as if I should know or care why you have such personal animosity towards me, and shove a dildo up your ass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-idiots-clapping-when-the-plane-lands-mild/556975.md?page=6)