"I don't know much about music but I know what I like."
The only thing I object to about standing is the peer pressure to stand also. If I want to stand because a piece of music moved me, or I know the back-story to the performers, or whatever, great. And if it does nothing for me, then leave me alone, but don't make me feel like a Grinch for clapping without standing. Standing should represent one person's opinion, only, and clapping hard without standing might mean that person is giving an 8 or a 9, rather than a 10!
Bassdad said early on that he didn't object to standing for kids' performances. That is one of those things that I personally dislike. It drives me crazy to see people standing for a truly awful school performance, just because parents are so proud that little Bobby didn't knock over his music stand.
Then the kids come to expect standing ovations, and the lack of it becomes extremely significant. And the presence of it only encourages them to continue not practicing because they're already great.
Germans are tough audiences, and it is very rare to get a SO. They will clap on and on for a truly amazing performance, and I sit there thinking, "Why aren't we standing?" My kids received glowing reviews in the paper, and several curtain calls on occasion, and never received an ovation.
I don't think I could be a member of APEs because I would feel obligated to stand when the other APEs did - monkey see, monkey do, and all that. But I really want to be a REAL snob and stand only when I want to. I would be the chump among chimps.