UK student union 'bans' clapping to avoid triggering anxiety

A UK student union has banned clapping at its events in an effort to avoid triggering anxiety in attendees.

The traditional clapping, whooping, cheering and other signs of support will now be replaced with the silent treatment.

The University of Manchester Students' Union made the announcement last week after voting through the motion.

According to a report in the student newspaper The Mancunion, students are encouraged to use jazz hands instead.

"It was argued that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping pose an issue to students with anxiety or sensory issues," they wrote.

"BSL (British Sign Language) clapping - or, jazz hands - would be a more inclusive form of expression."

Jazz hands will also become part of "inclusion training" for students and student groups and societies will be encouraged to follow suit.

A spokesperson for the university's student union says that the clapping ban "won't be policed" and "there's no penalty".

However it's been met with ridicule on social media, with some accusing the student union of being "snowflakes".

"If their students can't cope with clapping how are they going to cope in the real world and work? It's time to stop giving in to such nonsense," said one person on Twitter.

"What hope has anyone got if the sound of clapping sets them off? Our generation is a shambles," another said.

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