It's strange that some people treat it as a competition. Maybe past memories of a Soviet era Communist Party meeting- if you don't bang the pot the longest or the hardest, Stalin will send you to the gulag!

Same! The clapping is fine, but banging pots and pans and sounding air horns is a bit much.

Does someone always have to complain about something ? Let the workers have their tribute, and let people have a little fun and let off some steam. If you don't like it, use earplugs and hide under the covers for those few minutes. gawd...