Club Obi Wan

Hello,

I apologize, because I know there is a section for this but I couldn't find it and I don't know if it would have my answer... I am going to a family gathering this weekend and it looks like it will be outside and poolside. I know all about the entering of a person's home, and tipping, or touching the brim, to a lady, but I figure it will be ok to wear since we will be out of doors. Of course I will be entering the house here and there, but I was just curious if I ever go to an event like this where it is not family, will it be acceptable? I really believe no one is going to care, but I wanted to double check for more info for the future, etc, especially for a more formal outdoor occasion that might pop up. Anything I should know?

Just got to make sure it doesn't end up IN the pool.

Thanks!

MichaelB

It depends on the formality of the situation whether or not i remove it when i go inside. However, I always remove it when eating.

I think it would be proper to remove the hat and try to store it someplace safe when you get to the gathering if you would expect to be going in and out of doors repeatedly while there. It would be too cumbersome, I feel, to keep doffing and donning the hat during the course of the afternoon, especially if you were carrying food or drink. If it were strictly outdoors, then it would be correct to leave it on, and then either touching the brim (to a man) or raising it slightly (to a woman) on the first greeting. Also, if being introduced to a group of people, just touching the brim or raising it once (depending on composition) to the group as a whole would be sufficient. A good common sense rule might be to try and keep it simple.

Anyone else have some insights?

Cheers!

VP, where are ya? I've always wanted to say that. I remember a thread about this sometime ago. I'd like a referesher anyway

ETIQUETTE
for Hats and Caps

When a gentleman “dons” his hat to leave or “doffs” his hat to a lady, his actions are being described by two British colloquialisms that come from contractions of the phrases “do on” meaning “to do”, and the Middle English “doffen”, which became “don off” meaning “to do off”!

Hats are tipped, (or doffed) slightly lifting the hat off your forehead, when meeting a lady (remove your hat if you stop to talk), or to "say" to anyone, male or female – thank you, excuse me, hello, goodbye, you’re welcome or how do you do.

Tipping of the hat is a conventional gesture of politeness. This hat tipping custom has the same origin as military saluting, which came from the raising of medieval Knights face visors to show friendliness.

Hats are worn less now, but at the turn of the 20th century, all adults wore hats whenever they left the house. It was a matter of good personal hygiene, since hats were a protection from industrial dirt.

Hats are removed when inside, except for places that are akin to public streets, like lobbies, corridors, and crowded elevators (non-residential). In a public building (where there are no apartments) the elevator is considered a public area.

You may choose to remove your hat in a public elevator, but in the presence of a lady your hat must be removed.

A gentleman takes off his hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator in any building that can be classified as a dwelling such as an apartment house or hotel. He puts it on again in the corridor.



A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator in a hotel or apartment house has the character of a room in a house and there a gentleman does not keep his hat on in the presence of ladies.

Hats are removed for the National Anthem, passing of the Flag and funeral processions, outdoor weddings, dedications, and photographs.

Removed hats are held in hand in such a way that only the outside and never the lining is visible.

In places of worship head coverings are required for both men and women in Muslim mosques, and Sikh temples.

Men are required to cover their heads in Jewish synagogues, but only married women wear hats or scarves representing a display of her increased modesty towards those other than the woman's husband.

The small, round head covering or skullcap worn by men is called a “kippah” which means, “dome” or “cupola”. The Yiddish word for the cap is “yarmulke”. The wearing of the yarmulke is a reminder of humility before God, a mark of respect in a Jewish congregation, and a sign of recognition of something greater above oneself, which is why many male Jews wear a head covering whenever they are awake, with the exceptions of bathing and swimming.

It is acceptable for women to wear hats in Christian churches, (it was once required, but the custom has all but disappeared) but disrespectful for men to wear them.

A woman may leave her hat on indoors or during the playing of The National Anthem, unless it is considered unisex like a baseball cap. When wearing such a unisex cap, a woman should follow the same guidelines as for men.

Why are there different rules for men and women? It may have to do with the difference in the styles of men’s and women's hats.

Men's hats are easily removed, but women's hats with ribbons, bows, flowers and other decorations can be quite a production to remove, especially if they're anchored with hatpins. Women might also risk messing up their hairdos if they had to remove their hats. A lady, however, never wore brimmed hats after 5 PM, a fashion rule that developed because she didn't need a brim after sunset.

-- Andy Gilchrist

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Clot ... d_caps.htm

Wow, I already do most, if not all of those unconsciously already. Maybe because I was raised with manners (unlike others in my age range). Or maybe because I should have been born in an era where it was not acceptable to say "I'd tap dat" Wear your fedora, respect your fedora, but NEVER forget your manners. Otherwise I will have to take drastic measures.

p.s. you have to watch the whole smiley video from when he shoots the door on. Mods edit away if need be.

Indiana Jimbo wrote:VP, where are ya?

Sleeping.

viewtopic.php?p=229353#229353

Thanks Harrison! It's nice to have it all in one place.
Just don't make me remove my hat for a photograph...

Cheers,

:junior: Raider

I saw in the other thread some of the guys say that in a restaurant, they take the hat off and set it on the floor/ or seat crown down. Meaning upside down, so that the lining of the hat is exposed???? Curious.

Indy set his on Donovan's table crown up...and when taking it off to hold while talking to someone, the lining should not be exposed.....

So, why crown down on the floor? Curious?

I think it should hold its shape better that way.

I take my hat off in my home and other's homes, in restaurants, but not bars - unless I order food - I don't feel comfortable eating while wearing a hat. I wear it in hotel lobbies, but not in hotel rooms. I wear to to work, but not at work.

It's usually a matter of public versus private. I didn't read that in a book, it just feels right.

Poolside oughta be just fine. Inside, carry it in your hand til you get outside to the yard with the pool. The more you wear a hat, the more you'll intuitively know when and where it's appropriate and when and where it's not.

Indiana Lee wrote:So, why crown down on the floor? Curious?

VP is correct - if you put the fedora so that the [entire] brim is on the table, the brim is liable to distort, or lose its shape. If you put it upside down, then this is avoided. That's also why when people store their hats, they have either a hat stand, or they store them upside down, or like I do, right side up, but with the front of the brim hanging over the shelf, so it's not touching and going to distort.

I think the brim gets pretty wavy looking sometimes when it distorts from that. Anybody got pictures or stories?

In Christ,
Shane

Hmmm, I have always had my hats hanging from the wall, off a hat peg. If you can call it that. NO distortion going on ...and two of my Indy hats are 17 years old. I guess a hat stand/ rack thing would be best...if you could find one for sale. I would be afraid to put mine down crown first for fear of screwing up the bashes I have in the crown.....just me.

I always agonize over how to put my hat down. I find, though, that the crown doesn't get mis-shapen when I place it crown down. But I have a way of finding make-shift hat holders - a pillow or something, that won't effect the brim if I put it brim down. I'm afraid of getting the crown dirty!

As for etiquette, I find that too many rules crosses the line between being socially considerate and taking up a new college major! Go with your gut, especially outdoors. What's the point of wearing a hat on a sunny or rainy day if you have to keep taking it off all the time. I agree, you shouldn't eat with it on, and only the very worst hats should be worn in the pool! Exception to the eating rule... standing up in the yard and munching a hot dog while sociallizing at a casual BBQ. In any event, this sounds like the perfect time to be wearing a hat.
Chewie

Chewbacca Jones wrote:Exception to the eating rule... standing up in the yard and munching a hot dog while sociallizing at a casual BBQ. In any event, this sounds like the perfect time to be wearing a hat.

Agree.