I've noticed that audiences in different countries have different customs when it comes to applause. In some places it seems to be customary to allow a few seconds' respectful silence before beginning to applaud. I even remember one concert in Berlin where members of the audience who applauded prematurely were shamed into silence. And it wasn't that the rest of the audience didn't like the performance -- in fact, when the silence finally broke it was followed by a prolonged standing ovation.
It's possible that the difference you noticed has more to do with the habits of a particular audience than with their feelings about the music itself.
It's possible that the difference you noticed has more to do with the habits of a particular audience than with their feelings about the music itself.