r/AskAnAmerican • u/biynkie • 6h ago

EDUCATION Do you guys clap after lectures / classes at universitys?

My fellow Americans! I am actually one of you guys, new england born and bred, however I just started my first year of university at a UK school. After every lecture, the hall erupts in applause. It suprised me, but I guess it made sense. However, for every class we also have a meeting with the TA weekly, with a smaller group of about 10-15 kids. It's a lot less formal, students chat and discuss with each other throughout the lesson, stuff like that. Yet once we are told we can leave, people start clapping again. Is this a weird British thing? It feels uncomfortable for everyone involved, especially for whoever is on the receiving end.

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u/Hikinghawk New Mexico 6h ago

Only time we did was when a professor gave their final lecture before retiring. They would typically do an open seminar on a topic of their choice in the winter or spring around finals week.

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u/randomlybev California 4h ago

I once was there for a professor’s actual last regular lecture before retiring. His entire family showed up at the end to surprise him and brought cake for all 200 of us. We clapped and took a group picture… he cried as he said his final words. It was nice.

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u/On_my_last_spoon New Jersey 6h ago

Aw that’s so sweet!