Clapping at beaches in Brazil has a specific purpose: to assist parents in finding lost children. When clapping occurs, it indicates the location of a lost child, prompting parents to search the area. This practice is also reported in other South American countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, suggesting a regional custom for child safety. The action is not limited to beaches but occurs in various crowded places, highlighting its effectiveness and widespread recognition as a helpful communal response to missing children.
"If you can hear, people are clapping at the beach, out of nowhere, for no reason. This confused the hell out of me when I first came here."
"The clapping indicates, as far as I'm aware, where the child is. For example, if the child is here, people in this area will clap."
"In Uruguay, it's common practice too. Working as a lifeguard, I would ask the people at the beach to do this when we found a child. Works 90% of the time."
"I'm Brazilian, I live abroad, and I went back to Carnival. A kid got lost in the small block, everyone got down and started clapping their hands."
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