"What does it mean when people applaud? Should I give 'em money? Say thank you? Lift my dress? The lack of applause - that I can respond to"

Barbra Streisand’s remark about applause engages with the complexities of receiving public affirmation. At first glance, she injects humor into her confusion about social rituals, questioning the appropriate response to applause, whether to pay the audience, simply offer thanks, or do something more theatrical like lifting her dress. This absurd litany underlines how awkward or artificial the relationship between a performer and their audience can feel when mediated by such ritualized gestures.

Her joke offers an insight into the ambiguous nature of validation. Applause is a universal symbol of approval, yet its meaning can be elusive for those on the receiving end. Streisand, a legendary performer with decades in the spotlight, admits to feeling unsure about how to respond, suggesting that even the most celebrated artists aren’t immune to a sense of disconnect when faced with collective displays of appreciation. Applause, in her view, becomes a coded message that is strangely impersonal or untranslatable, one that leaves her uncertain about the “right” way to reciprocate.

More telling, however, is her concluding statement: “The lack of applause, that I can respond to.” Streisand implies that silence or disapproval is easier to understand because it conveys an unambiguous signal: something didn’t work, wasn’t liked, or failed to connect. Criticism, or absence of praise, offers specific direction for self-improvement or at least clear feedback. In contrast, applause is diffuse and may feel insubstantial or vague, lacking the clarity needed for genuine self-reflection.

Ultimately, Streisand’s wry observation highlights an underlying anxiety around public appreciation and the complexity of interpreting success. It reveals a vulnerability beneath her fame, emphasizing that public affirmation is often more confusing than comforting, while negative feedback, painful as it may be, at least provides clarity.