Hat Etiquette

[two_bit_score]

There is a big difference in a hat and a cap.

 

[orezok]

As far as etiquette goes, sometimes it developed for a reason (ie-consideration of others), other times not. What exactly is the reason for hat removal at various times anyway? Much of it seems to be an odd custom, but then again I've never been a hat wearer.

Respect!

 

[two_bit_score]

Respect!

Umhm....


(with) hat in hand
Fig. with humility. (Fig. on the image of someone standing, respectfully, in front of a powerful person, asking for a favor.) She stormed off but came back with hat in hand when she ran out of money. We had to go hat in hand to the committee to get a grant for our proposal.
See also: hand, hat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. ｩ 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hat in hand also cap in hand
with an attitude of respect for someone powerful The Secretary of Defense must go to Congress, hat in hand, to get approval to close military bases.
Usage notes: said about someone who is hoping to get something they want
Etymology: based on the custom of men removing their hats to show respect, and on the idea that people beg (ask for money) by holding out a hat
See also: hand, hat
Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms Copyright ｩ Cambridge University Press


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[von-mil]

Generally, the only times I wear a hat is when it is sunny (baseball cap) or cold (knit cap). In any event, I feel it needs to be taken off, at least temporarily, when entering a building or when being introduced to someone.

And, for some reason, I can't seem to get into a car without removing the hat as I'm climbing in. Just seems to happen automatically with me.

 

[LBrown59]

There was a day when eateries provided coat and hat racks. Those days are pretty much gone and even if there were a place to hang my hat at the door, it's not likely that I'm going to hang my $600 Stetson out of my reach.
*I prefer to have it next to me, but that can't always be done.

*Why not just leave it in your car?

 

[N80]

I went to military college and also spent six years in the USAF. So hat/cap etiquette is very familiar to me. But the truth is, I was taught hat etiquette by my Mom and Dad long before I went to college. It is a matter of habit now.

Someone mentioned that we should lighten up about the hat thing. On the one hand, I agree. Hat etiquette, in the end, has more to do with social custom of the day. So true, there is nothing really sacred about it, it is a matter of style and styles change.

The problem is that when it comes to manners, which are simply rules designed to make us think about others above ourselves, they are not being replaced by other forms of respect. The issue is not hats. The issue is that as a nation we are becoming more and more self centered; self absorbed really. THAT is where these traditional manners have real value. Most of us spend most of our time as if we were the most important person on earth. It is human nature. Manners and etiquette are there to combat that tendency. We no longer even seem to try.

When I was young I used to deer hunt with some farmers. Tobacco and soy bean farmers. I went out to eat with them many times in local dinners and lunch places. They always removed their hats, even if we were in hunting cloths. They regarded the farmers who did not remove their hats as rednecks....not the type you'd be 'proud' to be.

 

[RobertN]

Went out to pizza with a friend about five years back.

We had been duck hunting. Got back to the camper, and got washed up. Decided to go in to town for pizza instead of cooking.

We get there, go in to the restaurant. Looking around up front; they kind of had a novelty store up front. Order pizza, have hat off at table.

A couple guys ask how duck hunting was. Don't know how they knew we were duck hunting; I had changed out of all my camo stuff. Said good, got a limit that day. A couple other guys ask same thing. My buddy just kinda smiled. Told them the same, good shoot day.

Went to use the restroom, and wash my hand afterwards. Look in the mirror. My hair didn't look to bad without a hat(usually sticks up everywhere after wearing a hat...). The camo face paint I had used that day however, I had forgotten to wash off

My buddy, and the other guys near our table, got a good laugh from that one

When I was young I used to deer hunt with some farmers. Tobacco and soy bean farmers. I went out to eat with them many times in local dinners and lunch places. They always removed their hats, even if we were in hunting cloths. They regarded the farmers who did not remove their hats as rednecks....not the type you'd be 'proud' to be.

 

[Oaktree]

Likewise, you take your shoes off when entering a mosque.

We were brought up to take off our shoes when coming into the house. Nothing religious about it, with 5 kids in the family a lot less dirt got tracked in, likewise less wear & tear on floors. I've maintained that practice in adulthood...just doesn't feel right wearing shoes in someone's home.

Many years ago when I was single I remember dating someone who had a couple grammar-school aged kids. She was horrified when I told her kids to take off shoes before coming in the house. She was brought up that shoes were never removed until time for bed.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

We were brought up to take off our shoes when coming into the house. Nothing religious about it, with 5 kids in the family a lot less dirt got tracked in, likewise less wear & tear on floors. I've maintained that practice in adulthood...just doesn't feel right wearing shoes in someone's home.

Many years ago when I was single I remember dating someone who had a couple grammar-school aged kids. She was horrified when I told her kids to take off shoes before coming in the house. She was brought up that shoes were never removed until time for bed.

Removing your shoes at the door is just good manners in Japan. Wearing shoes in the house is rude. Wearing shoes in a mosque is more serious, and should never be done.

Removing your shoes outside on the farm is just practical. It creates problems to track mud or manure into the house. Most rural homes have a mud room where you can sit to take your shoes off, even if it's just a bench on the back porch. Lots of times to keep the wife happy I will shuck the shoes, socks and pants before going into the house.

 

[Bird]

We never took our shoes off to enter the house unless we knew there was something dirty on them. But I was 55 years old when we bought 10 acres out in the country, and right after we moved in, the neighbor behind us came calling and he took his shoes off when he came in the house. Seemed to be a good idea to me and we did the same from then on. And that neighbor and his wife also quickly became our best friends down there.:laughing: