Club Obi Wan

Hello,

I thought I would give this a shot, even though none of you will probably see it in time.

I have a friends graduation in about 3 hours, and it dawned on me that I'm not sure what to do with my hat while I'm there!

There will be a dinner, and dancing, and childern, and such....should I take it off when I enter and just carry it? What about dancing? Should I place it on the table (like they do in Casablanca) when I am eating?

It seems like it's a crazy mix of situations...what would one do?

I went to a wedding reception and just wore it the whole time... though evidently you don't want to do that. You could just leave it on the table while you're out and about. Otherwise, maybe hang it on your chair if there are things to hang it on. You could carry it, but that gets tiresome after a while.

In Christ,
Shane

If it were my hat I'd leave it at home. Placing it on the table would be fine if there is enough room, but its likely to be crowded. Without a proper place to put your hat you could be inviting disaster.

Hopefully, there will be a coat room where you can check it, or you could leave it in the car. What you don't want to do is where it indoors, especially to a wedding. In many segments of our society, wearing a hat indoors shows extreme disrespect. I would leave it in the car if I had to.

You are facing one of the many dillemas of the modern hat wearer; there are no longer hat racks and hat check rooms. Do the best you can, but keep it off your head, especially through dinner.

Thanks guys,

I would leave it at home, but it's part of my entire 30's style. She got her grad dress custom made in a 30's style, so I have to show up looking cool!

My main concern is leaving it unattended on a table while I dance. I don't mind placing it on the table while I eat, but dancing seems stupid with a hat on.

crazylegsmurphy wrote:My main concern is leaving it unattended on a table while I dance. I don't mind placing it on the table while I eat, but dancing seems stupid with a hat on.

Not unless you're Jake or Elwood Blues, or the cast of "Blues Brothers 2000"

Indy N.

Listen to Hemingway, don't wear it indoors. Wearing a hat at the dinner table or indoors at an event like this is really bad. Its shows a lack of respect and manners.

Point true. I didn't have room on my table, things to hang it on, or enough people I knew to trust my hat sitting someplace... good idea - don't wear it... but you've got other small pieces of advice here too.

Hemingway - Not sure if you were just making a separate point or if you were referencing my comment, but it was just the reception that I wore the hat during. During the actual wedding, I had my fedora sitting on the pew, next to me. ;-)

In Christ,
Shane

IndyMcFly wrote:Hemingway - Not sure if you were just making a separate point or if you were referencing my comment, but it was just the reception that I wore the hat during. During the actual wedding, I had my fedora sitting on the pew, next to me. ;-)

In Christ,
Shane

Shane, I was indeed making a separate point, but after re-reading the posts above, I can certainly see how one could take it otherwise. I certainly know that you know enough not to wear your hat in church. Some time I will tell you the story of the Swiss Guard who requested that I take off my hat at the Vatican. Nothing like the big sword being pointed in your direction to motivate hat removal!

But, not to duck the point, you can get away with things that an older man could not. For you as a well-groomed young man, dressed to the nines at a wedding, wearing a hat is charming. Young guys can get away with a lot. For me, older, scruffier, it would be seen as rude. Now if I were as old as Michaelson, it would be seen as eccentric.

But still, if one wears a hat indoors at a formal function, in many segments of society, and mostly by older people, it would be considered rude. Though we all know exceptions: I've seen weddings in Texas where groomsmen and others wore cowboy hats. Of course, Jewish people wear yarmulkes, which is a hat, of sorts.

This is just how it is. Think of how obnoxious it is when there is some guy in a restaurant wearing a baseball cap while dining with his family and friends. To some people, a hat is a hat.

Anyway, good to see you around, my friend.

crazylegs, the place will hav a coat check ( hat ). Just tip the person well to place it safe, and the way you want. All will be well.

When I DON'T wear it, people ask me what's wrong and if I'm ok. My family members can't stand me not wearing it now.

I have a wedding to go to in a month, and I'm have debates about leaving it in the car. If they see it, they want me to put it on.

Hemingway Jones wrote:Some time I will tell you the story of the Swiss Guard who requested that I take off my hat at the Vatican. Nothing like the big sword being pointed in your direction to motivate hat removal!

Now if I were as old as Michaelson, it would be seen as eccentric.

Can't wait for that story... sounds awesome.

In Christ,
Shane

I agree with Hemingway on this one. ...and I thought I had something else to add, but no, he pretty much covered it.

I thought leaving it in your car was a bad idea?

Hey All,

Well, there was no coat check, no place on the table, and nothing to hang it on...so I put it crown down on the carpet under my chair and it was completely safe.

None of the cowboys took off their hats to eat, and it looks so unclassy!

As for the dance, well, The tables were cleared, and I left the hat on the table next to my dates grandma, who understood (being old and all) the importance and class of a fedora and offered to look after it for me.

So it was all good!

[quote="Hemingway Jones For me, older, scruffier, it would be seen as rude. Now if I were as old as Michaelson, it would be seen as eccentric.

[/quote]

Uh, make that 'distracted', not eccentric, if you don't mind...
Regards! Michaelson

I've found that crown down under the chair is a pretty safe place to keep your hat when no other options are available. I also like the feeling of gaurding over my hat the way a dragon sits over his gold . Just be careful when you get up to go somewhere that you don't scoot the chair over the hat.

crazylegsmurphy wrote:Hey All,

Well, there was no coat check, no place on the table, and nothing to hang it on...so I put it crown down on the carpet under my chair and it was completely safe.

None of the cowboys took off their hats to eat, and it looks so unclassy!

As for the dance, well, The tables were cleared, and I left the hat on the table next to my dates grandma, who understood (being old and all) the importance and class of a fedora and offered to look after it for me.

So it was all good!

Glad it all worked out for you! I was worried a bit, wit that first sentence.

In Christ,
Shane

Murph,
I am happy it worked out for you. Though a crushed hat isn’t the end of the world, one smothered in cranberry sauce may be.

IndyMcFly wrote:

Hemingway Jones wrote:Some time I will tell you the story of the Swiss Guard who requested that I take off my hat at the Vatican. Nothing like the big sword being pointed in your direction to motivate hat removal!

Can't wait for that story... sounds awesome.

In Christ,
Shane

Basically, I was entering the Vatican looking forward to seeing La Pieta. It was October, so there was no line and I was rushing a little. I neglected to remove my hat. It was an oversight. But this massive Swiss Guard with his spear that looked like it came out of a Shaw Brothers Kung-Fu movie accosted me, with intent, “Tuo cappello!” The spear was raised probably out of training or simply because it was in his hand. Anyway, I quickly remembered to remove my hat and entered Saint Peter’s a little embarrassed.

Michaelson wrote:

Hemingway Jones wrote: For me, older, scruffier, it would be seen as rude. Now if I were as old as Michaelson, it would be seen as eccentric.

Uh, make that 'distracted', not eccentric, if you don't mind...
Regards! Michaelson[/quote]
Distracted it is, but not from your wallet, ..as bink comes strolling in…

Oh! I'm so dumb! I forgot to tell the best part!

The best part was all of the people who commented on, and wanted to actually hold the hat. I put all this effort into a 30's style suit, complete with the suspenders, double breasted suit and the like, but all people could notice was the Adventurebilt.

There were even a few other fedoras there, and it was so obvious the difference from a cheap wool "costume" fedora, and a genuine 100% beaver one.

I felt kinda bad though, my date (and the one graduating) had her dress custom made in a 30's style, but she only got one or two comments...they just couldn't get enough of the AB!

There must be pictures, right Jeff/Crazy?

I can't believe the cowboys didn't take their hats off to eat!! It seems in this town of ball cap wearers, they're often the only ones who hold on to any hat ettiquette at all... other than us, of course.

I think someone got some pics...but they are on this crazy new medium called....film...or some fangled thing.

I'll post them when I get them...I'm not quite ready to unleash the coolness of my AB on the world yet...I have something special planned.

But, ya...I was suprised too. Usually cowboys are pretty good about that thing, but not this time...of course you have to remember this IS Calgary, and it's not really known for it's culture, or class.

Neither are cowboys, but they usually have sense to take their hats off at a meal.

Hemingway Jones wrote: Basically, I was entering the Vatican looking forward to seeing La Pieta. It was October, so there was no line and I was rushing a little. I neglected to remove my hat. It was an oversight. But this massive Swiss Guard with his spear that looked like it came out of a Shaw Brothers Kung-Fu movie accosted me, with intent, “Tuo cappello!” The spear was raised probably out of training or simply because it was in his hand. Anyway, I quickly remembered to remove my hat and entered Saint Peter’s a little embarrassed.

Ah, so you're a fan of Michaelangelo, or just old Italian artwork. That's pretty cool! I thought for a second there that we might have had something else in common. 'Tis still a mystery though.

Thanks for sharing! lol - I got a good chuckle out of that.

In Christ,
Shane

I'm obviously late on this topic, but for future reference do what we did in the Marines. We had to deal with our covers all of the time. Hang it on your knee when your eating, and leave it in you seat when your not wearing it otherwise.

I tried it on my knee, but because everyone was seated so close (and there was a table leg where I was sitting) it wasn't possible.

I don't think it would have stayed anyways because the sweatband and the pants made things a little slick, and I could have seen it falling off.

What would be cool, is if there was a little net like thing you could carry, and you would take it out of your pocket, put the hat in, and then two strings would "hook" onto the chair seat. This would allow you to hang your hat under the chair.

If you want to wear your hat inside or whatever, you should be able to. Much of the American conformist, traditionalist, and somewhat irrational society should lighten up. It's just a hat. So what if you wear it at the table? You might be different and this considered wrong by many. But still, this shouldn't be a big deal.

For me personally, I think it's rude to wear it at the table because when you are sitting in that kind of environment you are in close communication quarters. If you are wearing a big brimmed hat, and eating food, your head will more than likely be turned down.

This causes the eyes of the person to be hidden. I think the key to good conversation is being able to make eye contact with people. It shows you are interested and paying attention.

You'll see a lot of people these days wearing thier ball caps really low on their heads. It hides thier eyes and creates a sence of mistrust and such.

I also think it's good because it's like leaving your jacket on when you come to someones house. That gives the other person a sense that you are leaving. I think the same goes for a hat, when you take off the hat at a table, or when you enter a room, it's like saying, "I am comfortable here, and I intend to stay here and be social"

If you are wearing a fedora you are trying to convey that you are a gentlemen, perhaps above and beyond others. A gentlemen does not wear a hat at the table. Indy wouldn't. Now that is American.

prairiejones wrote:I'm obviously late on this topic, but for future reference do what we did in the Marines. We had to deal with our covers all of the time. Hang it on your knee when your eating, and leave it in you seat when your not wearing it otherwise.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog!

I see they have you well-trained, too. Now that I am no longer on active duty, I still work for the Marine Corps in civil service. I still cannot bring myself to wear my cover/hat indoors. No one tells me I can't wear it, but I feel as conspicuous as if I were wearing a mackerel on my head.

And I still make sure my shirt is lined up with my buckle and buckle lined up with zipper flap. AKA gig-line.

Idea: :!: Go to any hardware store of K-Mart or Wal-Mart...buy a small plastic hat hook with the adhesive tape on the back. Take it to the wedding...stick the adhesive hook on the wall behind your table! Viola :idea: Instant hat hook!

jpenman wrote:I thought leaving it in your car was a bad idea?

Only if its a sunny or warmish kind of day. The heat build up in the car is what shrinks and tapers it. In a cold car at night, you have no worries.

Lao Feng wrote:Idea: Go to any hardware store of K-Mart or Wal-Mart...buy a small plastic hat hook with the adhesive tape on the back. Take it to the wedding...stick the adhesive hook on the wall behind your table! Viola Instant hat hook!

That's just brilliant!

That may be a joke, but it's actually a wicked idea. Just keep putting them up to places you fequent often, and after a while you'll have a hook for every place you ever go.

And the best thing would be to stick it on wall paper, or paint...so if they rip it off, then they won't again...if you know what I mean.