I HATE HATS!!!

[Feraud]

I would leave my hat on at a Tom Waits performance.
It fits the atmosphere.

 

[retro50]

Just because an 80 year old instructional etiquette pamphlet from the 30's tells me I'm being rude doesn't mean I'm being rude. Know what I mean?

I agree that there are good and bad manners, and "hat" is in there somewhere. BUT. Times have changed. And as such the rules of hat etiquette need to be changed to meet the times.

Want to start a new rule list? Me first. While I agree that one should remove their hat when visiting someone else's home, in ones own home, not so much. Also, tipping one's hat is a great thing, but taking it off to stop and talk to a lady? Way outdated. Leaving your hat on in a public place (such as a concert)? Leave it on in any public place, including a restaurant, unless there is a place specific to stowing your hat while eating. Of course, out of politeness, if you're going to block somewone's view, then take it off!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Could someone clear up some hat etiquette for me? I was always told by my dad that some places/events were "hatless" and others were "hatted"

Pretty much inside/outside decides whether or not to drop drop your lid (with some exceptions noted bellow).

Ex: Any formal gathering (church, work, school, etc) or eating/drinking (except if standing up, at a bar for example), Theaters, and generally inside places were "hats off"

Ex: whereas, some inside places, train station/on public transit, in a car, and sporting events (inside or outside) were "hats on"


Am I right, or does it turn out I'm an uncouth bum?

Just got a second to respond to the above and the post in general. As for the latter - I'm really tempted to do a little card of "Hat on / hat off" to hand to people like this. One "Joe Cool" in a black stingy brim straw kept his hat on in a church during a memorial service a couple weeks ago. He plus the mid-20's bimbette who wore her black shorts and black tanktop with her Barbie pink bra straps sticking out...matching her Barbie pink flip-flops (probably also matching the gum she popped and chewed through the service - made me want to smack both of them even though they were on opposite sides of the sanctuary.

And as for the former (the above quoted texted) - there's at least one big post on hat manners - do a search for it. I *would* search and link it now but I'm dashing out the door to a meeting and my ride's here early.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

That's funny; I was listening to "SWORDFISHTROMBONES" when I clicked and read this thread.

 

[Widebrim]

I think alot of people throw on a hat these days unaware of 'proper' etiquette- be they young or old. Case in point was last Saturday, we went out for breakfast and my son wore his Indy hat and I wore my new Schoble (thanks Johnny ). My boy entered the restuarant with my wife and daughter as I held the door, as he entered he immediately grabbed his lid by the pinch and took it off (he can take the felt cheapy off by the crown, but he knows to take the nice Stetson off by the brim). I enter and take off my hat and as usual he handed me his lid to put up for him. Well, standing feet away was a middle aged man and his wife lid formly planted on his head. His wife whispered to him a half a beat later and he took his fedora off. I guess my point is that some people don't know or forget 'the rules' and maybe they will catch on by example

Well said, handlebar bart. Example is the best teacher.

 

[DrSpeed]

Let's give these kids a break. They probably don't have the slightest idea when to don/doff and you can't blame them; they just don't have an example anymore.
What's good is that they obviously like hats. Let's encourage and educate them in a friendly manner.

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

Yesterday evening, I went with my wife to see this

http://www.ommegang.be/index2.php?idx=2&lg=en

We had nice paid seats, and I stayed put for three hours or so with my large Beaver Hats western hat ...on my knees. No one asked me. I just knew.

Commenting on the initial "rage" message, well, it just seems them stingy hats are "in" right now (I see stores selling real cheap cloth and "straw" hats everywhere) with the young folk. What's the point of "raging" against them kids? One of the characteristics of a "balanced adult attitude" is to...absorb...such matters without all too much ado. Of course we all know these kids have no manners (they burp, they fart, they ...whatever). And, of course, it was different in our day. But...ahem... what's these words about "casting the first stone"? So. Be generous. You will be repaid double when one of these young dudes ...thanks you, sometime, somewhere down that long and winding road.

 

[Viper Man]

Here's my two cents...

Hats disappeared from the public eye for a variety of reasons but I think maybe the biggest culprit was rules and etiqutte. There was simply too much BS involved in wearing one.

There was a time where if seen on the street without a hat, you were considered a bum. It wasn't a fashion choice, it was dictated by society. There was also a time where if you didn't check your hat at a restaurant, the hat check girl would publicly harrass you until you did. You had to remove it in an elevator, you had to tip it to the ladies, you couldn't leave it on the bed, etc. etc.

No wonder people stopped wearing them. They're a pain in the ass! There are far too many rituals involved. Don't get me wrong, I try to adhere to the rules of manners and was raised to do so but I don't need the Etiqutte Police shaking me down because I forgot to take my hat off in the elevator and if I actually removed it every time I passed a woman, I might as well leave it off.

You also seem to forget that because hats are no longer common place, nobody under the age of 40 even knows the rules because they simply aren't relevant anymore.

 

[waffle]

Viper Man, you're right, i'm 25 and have never seen/read the rules of hat etiqutte.. where can i find them?

 

[charlie farley]

Manners can't be updated because you are either considerate or you are not. It never changes.Nobody should need to be told that it's bad manners to block another persons view with their hat.If you are considerate, you will already be aware of this.

 

[Lefty]

It's all here.

The Observation Bar has a sticky called historically great threads where many of the FAQs on the Lounge are answered - and others are just discussed until everyone gives up.

Viper Man, you're right, i'm 25 and have never seen/read the rules of hat etiqutte.. where can i find them?

 

[waffle]

Thanks Lefty!

 

[MattJH]

Am I seriously alone in thinking that those rules of hat etiquette are borderline insane? I really want to explore the idea that people who don't follow a list of what seems to be obsessive-compulsive behavior have no business wearing hats, and its relevancy today. If you choose to follow the etiquette rules, more power to you, but I would never even consider it.

I much prefer the rules of common sense. I understand that there is a tone to this post and others I've made in regards to this topic, but there's a reason for it -- I'm sort of blown away by hat etiquette in general, and especially by those who want everybody to follow it. I suppose I see a use for the rules in the early 20th century since everyone was wearing hats, but even so, it's still incredibly convoluted. And now? Seriously? It's akin to walking around in chain mail introducing yourself by name, house, and family fiefdom every time you cross somebody's real estate property line.

"Welcome to Burger King, may I help you?"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance! I am Tommy, House of Watkins, heir to my father's fiefdom."
"..."

Okay, fine. Over the top. But somebody here has got to know what I'm saying. If there was some way that hat etiquette could actually be enforced, I'd throw all of mine in the garbage. There's no way I'd follow it. What a bore, what a chore, what a way to kill any fun at all.

And this whole business of taking off your hat in the presence of a lady... what is she, the Queen of England? It's not nothing to do with being a gentleman. Nothing to do with chivalry. I can't live my life in period re-enactment mode, and that's what hat etiquette rules are to me. It's 2008. Common sense is all you need.

I could go on and on. I'm totally perplexed.

 

[Jerekson]

Am I seriously alone in thinking that those rules of hat etiquette are borderline insane? I really want to explore the idea that people who don't follow a list of what seems to be obsessive-compulsive behavior have no business wearing hats, and its relevancy today. If you choose to follow the etiquette rules, more power to you, but I would never even consider it.

I much prefer the rules of common sense. I understand that there is a tone to this post and others I've made in regards to this topic, but there's a reason for it -- I'm sort of blown away by hat etiquette in general, and especially by those who want everybody to follow it. I suppose I see a use for the rules in the early 20th century since everyone was wearing hats, but even so, it's still incredibly convoluted. And now? Seriously? It's akin to walking around in chain mail introducing yourself by name, house, and family fiefdom every time you cross somebody's real estate property line.

"Welcome to Burger King, may I help you?"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance! I am Tommy, House of Watkins, heir to my father's fiefdom."
"..."

Okay, fine. Over the top. But somebody here has got to know what I'm saying. If there was some way that hat etiquette could actually be enforced, I'd throw all of mine in the garbage. There's no way I'd follow it. What a bore, what a chore, what a way to kill any fun at all.

And this whole business of taking off your hat in the presence of a lady... what is she, the Queen of England? It's not nothing to do with being a gentleman. Nothing to do with chivalry. I can't live in my life in period re-enactment mode, and that's what hat etiquette rules are to me. It's 2008. Common sense is all you need.

I could go on and on. I'm totally perplexed.

Suit yourself. I won't even start.

 

[Lefty]

"Welcome to Burger King, may I help you?"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance! I am Tommy, House of Watkins, heir to my father's fiefdom."
"..."

What a bore, what a chore, what a way to kill any fun at all.

Rants are usually a little rough, but this is both funny and well-written.

For me, it's all about context. At a Tom Waits concert, leave the hat on if you like. Take it off at a wedding or funeral. For most everything else, just exercise a little discretion. My wife is a pre-school teacher and one of the rules they use at her school can be applied to hats - if you're in a place where you should be using your "inside voice", you should probably remove your hat.

fftopic: What ever happened to your progressive-shave avatar? I loved that thing.

Update: Great! Thanks for bringing it back.

 

[waffle]

Dumbjaw,

After reading the rules of hat etiqutte, i have to say.. i agree with ya. it's way too much. I don't think that wearing a hat is the same as wearing an officer's uniform. wearing a hat doesn't say anything about anyone, other than that they like to wear hats.

Either way, hat or no hat, people do need to know good manners.. or "common sense" as you call it (which is odd because it's not so common afterall). We just need to understand that in this generation.. wearing a hat doesn't carry the same meaning as it did 60 years ago.

hope i made some sense..

 

[shortbow]

"In the middle way lies virtue"

To live in a hide-bound straight jacket of convention and dictated behavior is not living. On the other hand, not being respectful of other folk's needs and comfort is not conducive to a harmonious and pleasant experience for anyone. LET COMMON SENSE PREVAIL.

 

[MattJH]

fftopic: What ever happened to your progressive-shave avatar? I loved that thing.

Hah. Thanks. By request, then.

 

[Feraud]

Suit yourself. I won't even start.

I think we can discuss etiquette w/out tearing each other apart.

 

[MattJH]

I think we can discuss etiquette w/out tearing each other apart.

I hope so! I was very careful with my wording in the initial post so as not to be abrasive towards this forum's rules of etiquette, which I do agree with and (try to!) follow.