Clapping can be a great way of showing your appreciation, but it can also be rude if you clap at the wrong time.  In certain situations, it’ll be obvious when to clap, but other times are more ambiguous.  Not sure when to clap?  The best way to avoid an awkward situation is to wait to clap until you hear applause, then join in. 

The most common purpose and moment for applause is when something great has just happened in public that deserves celebrating.  Speeches, athletic events, and concerts are all common places to clap. 

Stop clapping when it starts to taper off.  As soon as the clapping starts to die down, it’s ok to stop clapping.  Clapping isn’t a chance to interrupt a performance, it’s a chance to celebrate it.  Get quiet with the crowd and don't act silly. 

It’s also common to clap as a part of audience participation at some music events or concerts.  If the performance was particularly great, continue clapping and try to prompt the performer to come back out for one more song or routine.  At the very least, you might get another bow. 

If, for some reason, you're on stage being celebrated, clapping along with everyone else can be a nice, humble-looking maneuver, done properly.  Bow your head to acknowledge the thanks, then start clapping with everyone else.  If it goes on too long, give the cut sign and start your thank-yous. 

The rules about clapping during classical performances will depend on the venue, the group of musicians playing, the director, and the piece.  It's usually only common to applaud in between individual pieces, and in some cases in between particular movements of a longer piece.  In some cases, it's only appropriate to clap to welcome the performer to the stage and to clap at the end of the performance. 

7

Clap after music at some churches.  Traditionally, choral music is not applauded, and is to be appreciated in rapt and contemplative silence.  At more modern praise churches, on the other hand, it's very common to applaud the performance after its given.  At Pentecostal churches, clapping is pretty much part of the sermon.  Every church will be different, so be observant and go with the flow.  Don't be the first to clap at church, but join in if you hear the joyful sound.