Ok, you've got me well and truly on my hobby horse now! I DETEST thumping feet: so unnecessary - feel the beat in your head, FFS. The worst one for me was when I saw a certain player up on a high wooden stage which was hollow underneath, so just acted as a massive sound-box: she foot-pounded her way all the way through so thatI could hardly hear what was coming out of her instrument.
I used to play orchestral percussion: I'd have been thrown out of the orchestra for banging my feet on the floor, so learned to keep time in my head - it is possible, not even that difficult!
Now I go to a folk instrumental class where people are positively encouraged to tap/bang their feet on the floor to keep themselves in time (nothing will work for some!) - I CRINGE - oh horrors unmentionable!
As for that guy at our local sessions who loudly taps his feet (out of time on a hard floor) through everyone's songs......give me strength!
As for clapping - how many times have the audience gone off at a complete tangent from what the players are doing.....
But give me a good step-dancer - now you're talking....