Applause

They also do it when they're introduced on some programmes...

Studio audiences and the contestants are 'encouraged' to respond by the staff on the programme. The 'warming-up' is pretty intense I am told. (Have a SIL who has been to several TV recordings - he says it all quite manic)

I think Russians have always done it. I remember watching visiting diplomats during the sixties clapping themselves as they were welcomed. It always looked odd.

It happened at a wedding I went to last summer. The vicar lead the congregation in applause after the 'you may kiss the bride' bit. I almost expected the happy couple to take a bow and go for an encore. It completely destroyed the sense of occasion.

Yes - ridiculous!

Oh NfkDumpling - that does sound a bit tacky!

Oh I like applause in church. We always used to welcome "new" members of the church family at christenings with a round of applause. It's friendly, it's fun, it gives children a chance to make a bit of noise after being "good" - and what is more, clapping is usually accompanied by smiling!

There's a right time and a wrong time. After the solemnity of the wedding vows just seemed so wrong. Outside the church with the confetti perhaps.

I don't like seeing clapping as a funeral cortege passes by - it started with Diana.

"You may kiss the bride" isn't strictly in the marriage service either, but we all like that. It's certainly not solemn and isn't a wedding meant to be a happy event too?

I agree, merlot - that just seems so wrong to me.

When I flew Turkish Airlines into Istanbul last year the passengers clapped when the plane landed

Maybe they'd flown with that pilot before, Orca

I have always had to sit firmly on my hands at weddings because I have an overwhelming desire to applaud as if I have just watched a play. The idea of applauding a funeral cortege, however, appals me.

As far as Pointless contestants applauding themselves even when they get an answer wrong, I am not surprised given that Alexander whatsit describes wrong answers with the phrase "a great answer". NO IT ISN'T; IT'S WRONG!

absent ...spoil sport! I'm an A.A. fan.

I know what you mean about weddings, absent. They're more like Hollywood productions these days.

Talking of Pointless, I loved the 90yr old man who was on yesterday. He got knocked out in the head to head so he'll be back but his knowledge shone out.

Merlot Mr absent is getting impressively frequent with his pointless answers. I don't do too badly when I watch it (and have my specs on so that I can see the board), though I am still smarting that my word for words that end in –ice – plaice – was never mentioned as a pointless answer. Neither of us can usually do the final round, although we were terrific on London underground stations – all three pointless.

Yes, we liked the 92-year-old dad yesterday.

Nor were mine, absent - dentifrice or orifice.

You two are obviously much too clever for this programme!

Just watching the Celebrity Pointless and I am definitely too thick. Couldn't see any of the anagram dance styles (well I guessed swing but didn't know it was a dance style). But then I was looking for waltz or foxtrot - you know, proper dance styles.

Orca. Every landing with Ryanair is applauded. To say they are heavy on the brakes is an understatement. You are so grateful that you haven't hit the building that you clap with gratitude.