How do folks react to your hat wearing?

FedOregon said:

I may have mentioned the first part of this interaction before. If so, here it is again... and the rest of the story.

I teach the 11 year old kids' Sunday School class at church. It consists of classroom time and then ends with sharing time with songs and lessons for several classes of kids that range from about 7 to 11 years old. About 2 months ago, as we were waiting in line before going into sharing time, a young man about 9, named Porter, looked at my hat and asked excitedly, "Is that a fedora?" I answered, "yeeessss." And with grand fervor and expectation, Porter then asked, "Can I have it?"

Well, I had to answer no but I've been keeping my eye out for a hat that he might like, and one that might fit him. A couple of weeks ago I was wearing a hat that's a little tight on me and I plopped it on Porter's head just to get an idea of fit and hat size.

So in the last week or so, our good FL friend DOGMAN posted for sale a really nice 60's ??? Stetson Royal Deluxe, dark brown with a nice bow, some feathers, a bit of a stingy brim but very nice proportionally and at what I was hoping was a good size at 6-7/8.

Without going back to check, I believe the hat was first posted at $30 shipped, then lowered to $25 and then $22... at which point I saw the ad, looked over the hat and asked to buy it for my young friend. Sir DOGMAN, upon finding the hat was a first hat for a young man knocked a few more dollars off the price and shipped it by F-16 fighter jet to Oregon. No kidding, I've never seen a hat get to me so fast.

I believe it's a grand understatement to say both DOGMAN and I were excited about the prospect of gifting this cool Royal Deluxe Stetson to Porter. I sent a text to Porter's Dad to give him a heads up, and he was thrilled about it too. He'd had no idea about the conversation between Porter and I and initially asked how much he owed me. I assured him there was no cost at all, that it was a small gift for Porter because he seemed so excited about fedoras, which I collect and wear all the time.

We tried to connect during the week and kept missing each other so I arranged to meet Porter and his Dad immediately after church, away from other kids who might feel left out. As much as I'd like to, I just can't afford to provide hats to every interested child in the congregation.

Normally, Porter is a pretty talkative kid. His words, phrasing and general sentence structure makes him sound more like an adult than a young boy of 9. Anyway, we went to my car directly after church let out and I made small talk about the hat. I opened the trunk of the car, opened the masterfully created hatbox that DOGMAN had put together for shipping, and pulled out the hat.

Porter stopped talking. His bespecked eyes were wide and searching. I nearly chuckled, but pulled the hat out, explaining what a nice hat the Royal Deluxe is. I showed how it can be worn with the brim up, or snapped down in "true" fedora fashion. I then placed it on his head and was thrilled to see that it fit perfectly.

We started walking back to the church and I turned to look at Porter. He still wasn't talking, so I asked him, "are you stoked!?" He paused and then said, "I don't know what that means." I smiled and said, "Happy? Excited?" And Porter said, "yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" with a real loud, almost guttural hiss. His smile was as big as a crescent moon, but I think I was happier than he was, just to see him so "stoked" about his new hat.

A big thanks to @DOGMAN, and to all the Professors of Fine Hats here on the FL. This was such a cool experience. My words just can't describe it in sufficient detail to convey it all....

No pics, just because I don't think it's cool to post pictures of other parents' children on the internet.

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hatsRme said:

Yeah, Doug, I had a tear in my eye reading this.

I don't have to worry about any kids wanting my huge sized lids, so I've been picking up smaller sizes for pictures, and if appropriate, giving. I know that Eric (@Short Balding Guy ) will also pass along hats to appreciative others, but like me, only when the hat love is felt to be real. I was a bit put out this last year, though, when I saw a photo of the formerly pristine Lamson & Hubbard pork pie given to my nephew, as a Freddie Kruger fedora at Halloween.

You did well doing good, Dougie!!

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Bob Roberts said:

Will someone give this hat to me...? View attachment 68168

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FedOregon said:

I may have mentioned the first part of this interaction before. If so, here it is again... and the rest of the story.

I teach the 11 year old kids' Sunday School class at church. It consists of classroom time and then ends with sharing time with songs and lessons for several classes of kids that range from about 7 to 11 years old. About 2 months ago, as we were waiting in line before going into sharing time, a young man about 9, named Porter, looked at my hat and asked excitedly, "Is that a fedora?" I answered, "yeeessss." And with grand fervor and expectation, Porter then asked, "Can I have it?"

Well, I had to answer no but I've been keeping my eye out for a hat that he might like, and one that might fit him. A couple of weeks ago I was wearing a hat that's a little tight on me and I plopped it on Porter's head just to get an idea of fit and hat size.

So in the last week or so, our good FL friend DOGMAN posted for sale a really nice 60's ??? Stetson Royal Deluxe, dark brown with a nice bow, some feathers, a bit of a stingy brim but very nice proportionally and at what I was hoping was a good size at 6-7/8.

Without going back to check, I believe the hat was first posted at $30 shipped, then lowered to $25 and then $22... at which point I saw the ad, looked over the hat and asked to buy it for my young friend. Sir DOGMAN, upon finding the hat was a first hat for a young man knocked a few more dollars off the price and shipped it by F-16 fighter jet to Oregon. No kidding, I've never seen a hat get to me so fast.

I believe it's a grand understatement to say both DOGMAN and I were excited about the prospect of gifting this cool Royal Deluxe Stetson to Porter. I sent a text to Porter's Dad to give him a heads up, and he was thrilled about it too. He'd had no idea about the conversation between Porter and I and initially asked how much he owed me. I assured him there was no cost at all, that it was a small gift for Porter because he seemed so excited about fedoras, which I collect and wear all the time.

We tried to connect during the week and kept missing each other so I arranged to meet Porter and his Dad immediately after church, away from other kids who might feel left out. As much as I'd like to, I just can't afford to provide hats to every interested child in the congregation.

Normally, Porter is a pretty talkative kid. His words, phrasing and general sentence structure makes him sound more like an adult than a young boy of 9. Anyway, we went to my car directly after church let out and I made small talk about the hat. I opened the trunk of the car, opened the masterfully created hatbox that DOGMAN had put together for shipping, and pulled out the hat.

Porter stopped talking. His bespecked eyes were wide and searching. I nearly chuckled, but pulled the hat out, explaining what a nice hat the Royal Deluxe is. I showed how it can be worn with the brim up, or snapped down in "true" fedora fashion. I then placed it on his head and was thrilled to see that it fit perfectly.

We started walking back to the church and I turned to look at Porter. He still wasn't talking, so I asked him, "are you stoked!?" He paused and then said, "I don't know what that means." I smiled and said, "Happy? Excited?" And Porter said, "yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" with a real loud, almost guttural hiss. His smile was as big as a crescent moon, but I think I was happier than he was, just to see him so "stoked" about his new hat.

A big thanks to @DOGMAN, and to all the Professors of Fine Hats here on the FL. This was such a cool experience. My words just can't describe it in sufficient detail to convey it all....

No pics, just because I don't think it's cool to post pictures of other parents' children on the internet.

Click to expand...

hatsRme said:

Yeah, Doug, I had a tear in my eye reading this.

I don't have to worry about any kids wanting my huge sized lids, so I've been picking up smaller sizes for pictures, and if appropriate, giving. I know that Eric (@Short Balding Guy ) will also pass along hats to appreciative others, but like me, only when the hat love is felt to be real. I was a bit put out this last year, though, when I saw a photo of the formerly pristine Lamson & Hubbard pork pie given to my nephew, as a Freddie Kruger fedora at Halloween.

You did well doing good, Dougie!!

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Frunobulax said:

Fed, a mensch is a person of integrity and honor. Someone to emulate who comports themselves to high standards. I think it fits.

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Short Balding Guy said:

It is a terrific feeling to pass along the fedora passion. You rock sir! I salute your efforts to bring joy and happiness to others. Your efforts matter!

The reason for being on the planet also varies to each person on the forum. Many just want to stay alive for the sake of living, no matter what that life brings. Others want to change or "evolve" into something else. I am here to do a job, which is to elevate todays level, and everything else is irrelevant. As far as I can see, I did not have a life before this one, nor will I have one after this one is over.

Today Fed you inspire me to elevate others around me. Thanks for sharing.





Thanks Charlie. I am flattered by your memory of my sharing.

Charlie, you and I have hats. If I wore a different hat each day, I could go for many months straight. I suspect you are in a similar hat situation. Outside of the "special hats," I see hats as only as hanging at my house, not doomed to be at my house. Passing them on to appreciative folks is not a problem for me. I agree they have to be appreciative, otherwise it is not elevating for the resource (hat) or general effort.

Perhaps like many many others on the forum, when I acquire a hat many times I gamble on the size, condition and details from on-line listings/auction sites. When they arrive in a size that I can not use I have them as a resource to elevate a future situation. Rarely do I sell them. As a Minnesota fellow of Scandinavian heritage I would feel guilty making any profit out of my foolish purchase. Breaking even - ok, selling at a lose - morally good, making a profit - guilt. I used one such hat this past weekend.

I had a long weekend of coaching gymnastics. Many sessions of different levels of gymnasts over 3 days. One of the athletes dad has been speaking to me of the hats that he has seen me in. Speaking to me much more than shmoozing of his darling daughter's coach might induce. I wore a hat he asked for me to show for the Friday sessions with his youngest daughter. Friday, he held onto it and while it was very small for him, I caught glimpses of him trying it on. On Saturday his oldest daughter competed and had a bang-up day. Big celebrations for her. Excellent results! We finished after 9:00pm and waked out to our vehicles. I fished out of my backseat a hat that I had acquired ( purchasing a while ago thinking it was my size) and presented it to him. He put it on, took it off many times while thanking me. That vintage Stetson Stetsonian will be in good hands. Even if it is not worn as much as I wear hats, it will be appreciated. Worn occasionally, worn hard, worn lots it will be worn infinitely more than stored in my wardrobe. It was an excellent day. Important results and life lessons for a teenager and it was my pleasure to elevate the profound efforts that that Dad has done on behalf of his 2 daughters.

Long winded tonight -apologies.

Cheers Fed and Charlie - you are good folks and I am proud to have your acquaintances.

Best, Eric -

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Bob Roberts said:

Will someone give this hat to me...? View attachment 68168

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Frunobulax said:

Fed, a mensch is a person of integrity and honor. Someone to emulate who comports themselves to high standards. I think it fits.

Click to expand...

FedOregon said:

Thanks, man... oooooh, Freddie Kruger? Ouch! Do we get soft in our old age? I remember teasing my mom for crying during a sit-com, LOL. Now touching stuff in movies can bring up old memories or experiences, or touch a button and I'm off to get the tissues.

Edited to add: Wow, no one has called me Dougie for ages! I guess my aunt still does... But everyone used to call me that.

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Michael R. said:

I would have Bob , I can't recall , but it seems it was a 7 3/8 . I know I spied it , I think it sold cheap (I thought , alway) . There was one that was 7 1/4 , a Dobbs and it went low , too , member ?

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DOGMAN said:

Fed,loved reading your post.So happy the hat fit Porter.Your a good dude.Thanks to everyone who had kind things to say about me.But it was all Fed,all I did was sell a hat.

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Redfokker said:

You guys are breaking me up. I too have been cultivating a young hat wearer. We have a young man in our cast at the theater who already has a sense of style. He is in junior high, but is a big guy. He wears bow ties and slacks in his world of, shall we say, lesser dressers. I know he gets a lot of grief, outside of his small circle of friend (mostly theater kids), he has some real issues in school. I have been leading him toward topping off his dapper (for a 14 year old) look with a proper hat. He is interested in each one I wear to the theater each night. We have not sat down to measure his size, but I fear it will be 7 1/2, maybe bigger.

You all have put forth an example for me to follow. Fed, Michael, Eric, I wish to emulate your good karma. Helping this young man find himself in the midst of teen age angst and crazyness is my new quest.

I have never been so grateful to be a part of this community. You people are examples to us all.

Best,

Mike

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