Standing ovations are rare in Britain so that, when they do occur, they are regarded as significant. I was surprised at a concert at the Concertgebouw when the audience stood and applauded after every item. What do they do if they wish to express particular enthusiasm? But other countries, other customs. I heard a soloist on the radio say that at the end of her first concerto performance in Japan she took a bow and, to her surprise, the whole audience bowed back. And why not? [log in to unmask]