October 25, 2023 - If you are a stickler for etiquette, you know that every courteous gentleman will always remove his hat or cap upon entering a building. This rule applies to ALL hats – no ball cap or beanie is exempt. And while the rule certainly feels antiquated, it also begs the question: Why do we do this? After all, there’s nothing about hats that seems inherently offensive.
Well, the following is the general rule about gentlemen and hats: “A gentleman should always remove his hat or cap and hold it in his hands. Hats are to be removed when inside, except for places that are akin to public streets, e.g., lobbies, corridors, and elevators in public buildings.” Removed hats are to be held in hand in such a way that only the outside, and never the lining, is visible.
A gentleman should take off his hat and hold it in his hand when a lady enters an elevator. He may put his hat back on while in the corridor. Men are also expected to remove their hats during the playing of the National Anthem. A woman may leave her hat on during the playing of the National Anthem when indoors, 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.
So, there you have the general rules for caps and hats. But, the question is, “Why do we seldom see anyone following those rules now days?” As I see this matter, it seems that the young men have no interest in “hat etiquette” today. It appears that men who wear the ball cap backwards and the cowboy hats are generally not apt to remove them for any occasion. I see photos of engagements where the male still has his baseball cap or cowboy hat on, thus showing no respect for hat etiquette. I have also seen photos of wedding ceremonies where the male has on his favorite hat or ball cap.
On the other hand, women do not need to remove their hats indoors as men do, unless they are rain hats.
Delving a little deeper into the hat etiquette, I find that it probably began with medieval knights. Back in Medieval Europe, any knight who failed to remove his helmet, or lift his visor to identify himself, could face fatal consequences. Knights also removed their helmets as a sign of vulnerability and trust in churches, and in the presence of women and royalty.
Perhaps the strictest rules of Western hat etiquette exists in the U.S. Flag Code, which advises men to take off their hats during the playing of the National Anthem, no matter where it is being played. While the Flag Code is not a law, its inclusion of hat etiquette cements the idea that wearing a hat in the wrong situation is the epitome of rudeness. In other words, wearing a hat or cap at the wrong time is simply rude.
At the end of the day most etiquette experts emphasize the importance of trusting your intuition. If you find yourself in a situation where you aim to show respect to others, then it is best to avoid coming off as rude, simply remove your hat or ball cap. Apparently, for some men that will be a very difficult thing to do.
Personally, I have never worn any kind of hat or cap. My father, Cecil, always wore some form of a Stetson hat, as well as my father-in-law, Rev. Howell. But they lived in a different time when most men did wear hats.
