06-06-2012, 07:18 PM
A couple of weeks ago, I attended my niece's graduation from UC Berkeley. The history department had a special commencement ceremony to award undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate degrees.
There was no request to hold applause so the applause was fairly continuous with some hoots from family members/friends when most names were announced. A few people didn't get hoots and I almost felt a little bad for them (although Asians aren't really in to hooting, I don't think).
Anyway, I think you ought to respect the etiquette established for the event. If you don't like it, work to change it but don't be one of just a few that make noise. That does make you look stupid and like you can't follow simple requests.
I still agree with Dick though that graduations would be more fun for the students if other students/family members could cheer them.
There was no request to hold applause so the applause was fairly continuous with some hoots from family members/friends when most names were announced. A few people didn't get hoots and I almost felt a little bad for them (although Asians aren't really in to hooting, I don't think).
Anyway, I think you ought to respect the etiquette established for the event. If you don't like it, work to change it but don't be one of just a few that make noise. That does make you look stupid and like you can't follow simple requests.
I still agree with Dick though that graduations would be more fun for the students if other students/family members could cheer them.