All You Need to Know About Hat Etiquette

Mojave Jack · 09-22-2005, 12:09 PM

I've read through some of the posts regarding hat etiquette, but I thought I would post these rules for your consideration, as much because of the rules as the verbiage! Quite fun, and enlightening.

From "Etiquette," Emily Post, Funk & Wagnall's Company, 1922 and 1927, and purloined from the CavHooah.com site.

WHEN A GENTLEMAN TAKES OFF HIS HAT

A gentleman takes off his Hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator in which he is a passenger, but he puts it back on again in the corridor. A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator is suggestive of a room, and a gentleman does not keep his Hat on in the presence of ladies in a house.

This is the rule in elevators in hotels, clubs and apartments. In office buildings and stores the elevator is considered as public a place as the corridor. What is more, the elevators in such business structures are usually so crowded that the only room for a man's Hat is on his head.

When a gentleman stops to speak to a lady of his acquaintance in the street, he takes his Hat off with his left hand, leaving his right free to shake hands, or he takes it off with his right and transfers it to his left. If he has a stick, he puts his stick in his left hand, and gives her his right. If they walk ahead together, he puts his Hat on; but while he is standing in the street talking to her, he should remain Hatless. There is no rudeness greater than for him to stand talking to a lady with his Hat on, and a cigar or cigarette in his mouth.

WHEN A GENTLEMAN LIFTS HIS HAT

Lifting the Hat is a conventional gesture of politeness shown to strangers only, not to be confused with bowing, which is a gesture used to acquaintances and friends. In lifting his Hat, a gentleman merely lifts it slightly off his forehead and replaces it; he does not smile or bow, nor does he even look at the object of his courtesy. No gentleman ever subjects a lady to his scrutiny or his apparent observation.

If a lady drops her glove, a gentleman should pick it up, hurry ahead of her ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù on no account nudge her ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù offer the glove to her and say: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìI think you dropped this!.?¢‚Ç¨? The lady replies: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìThank you.?¢‚Ç¨? The gentleman should then lift his Hat and turn away.

If he passes a lady in a narrow space, so that he blocks her way or in any manner obtrudes upon her, he lifts his Hat as he passes.

If he is on a street car which is very crowded, when he wishes to leave it and a lady is directly in his way, he asks: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìMay I get through, please??¢‚Ç¨? As she makes room for him to pass, he lifts his Hat and says: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìThank you!?¢‚Ç¨?

If he is in the company of a lady anywhere in public, he lifts his Hat to a man who offers her a seat, or who picks up something she has dropped or shows her any other civility.

He lifts his Hat if he asks a woman or an old gentleman a question, and always, if, when walking on the street with either a lady or another man, his companion bows to another person.

In other words, a gentleman lifts his Hat whenever he says ?¢‚Ç¨?ìExcuse me, Thank you,?¢‚Ç¨? or speaks to or is spoken to by a lady, or by an older gentleman. And no gentleman ever keeps a pipe, cigar or cigarette in his mouth when he lifts his Hat, takes it off, or bows.

THE INFORMAL BOW

In bowing on the street, a gentleman should never takes his Hat off with a flourish, nor should he sweep it down to his knee; nor is it graceful to bow by pulling the Hat over the face as though examining the lining. The correct bow, when wearing a high Hat, or derby, is to lift it by holding the brim directly in front, take it off merely high enough to escape the head easily, bring it a few inches forward, the back somewhat up, the front down, and put in on again. To a very old lady or gentleman, to show adequate respect, a sweeping bow is sometimes made by a somewhat exaggerated circular motion downward to perhaps the level of the waist, so that the Hat's position is upside down. If a man is wearing a soft Hat he takes it by the crown instead of the brim, lifts it slightly off his head and puts in on again.

AT THE OPERA, THE THEATER AND OTHER PUBLIC GATHERINGS

In walking about in the foyer of the opera house, a gentleman leaves his coat in the box ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù or in his orchestra chair ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù but he always wears his high Hat. The ?¢‚Ç¨?ìcollapsible?¢‚Ç¨? Hat is for use in the seats rather than in the boxes, but it can be worn perfectly well by a guest in the latter if he hasn?¢‚Ç¨‚Ñ¢t a ?¢‚Ç¨?ìsilk?¢‚Ç¨? one.

Matt Jones · 09-22-2005, 12:31 PM

Great post -- my hat goes off to you, sir!

Michaelson · 09-22-2005, 01:04 PM

I especially enjoyed reading the proper wearing of the tophat at the opera. I've never read that one before. Regards! Michaelson

riccardo · 09-22-2005, 02:17 PM

Great thread,
but the question is the same: to pinch or not to pinch the crown?
How may we to lift our hat, where would we bring it:by the crown...?
Need help about it.
Regards.
Riccardo.

DanielJones · 09-22-2005, 09:21 PM

Great thread sir! Very good information to share.

Cheers!

Dan

Sefton · 09-22-2005, 09:37 PM

interesting to know...hopefully I won't simply become paralyzed trying to remember what to do the next time I'm in one of those situations! I imagine that the level of these rules being observed was likely less in the big city than in small towns.

Mulberrywood · 09-23-2005, 04:18 AM

I liked the elevator theory information. However, I always take off my hat when I enter a building, even in a corridor. I am not sure why, it just seems correct.

scotrace · 09-23-2005, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riccardo

Great thread,
but the question is the same: to pinch or not to pinch the crown?
How may we to lift our hat, where would we bring it:by the crown...?
Need help about it.
Regards.
Riccardo.

My edition of Emily Post from the 1940's explains that lifting the hat is simply "touching the brim," not lifting it off the head.

Big Man · 09-23-2005, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulberrywood

...However, I always take off my hat when I enter a building, even in a corridor. I am not sure why, it just seems correct.

I can still hear my Momma's voice: "Take off your hat" - "wipe your feet" - "don't chew with your mouth open" - and on, and on, and on ...

My Daddy taught by example, but my Momma taught by repetition (with a liberal application of the fly swatter to my legs if I didn't get with the program right away

). At the time it irritated me no end, but looking back (way back that is

) I am very, very thankful that they cared enough about me to teach me how to behave in public.

riccardo · 09-23-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotrace

My edition of Emily Post from the 1940's explains that lifting the hat is simply "touching the brim," not lifting it off the head.

Thank you very much Scotrace,
now i've given an answer to a lot of my questions.
Regards.
Riccardo

The Mad Hatter · 09-23-2005, 07:09 PM

Frankly, this is the sort of thing that makes one understand why people stopped wearing hats.

Take off the hat inside a building is one thing - but most of that is, frankly, contrived and ridiculous.

zeus36 · 09-30-2005, 08:15 PM

Can you imagine trying to apply those rules to all the baseball cap wearers you see EVERYWHERE?

KR · 09-30-2005, 10:50 PM

Great information! I've always wondered what the "rules" were.

photobyalan · 10-01-2005, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeus36

Can you imagine trying to apply those rules to all the baseball cap wearers you see EVERYWHERE?

Most of them are louts who neither know nor care what constitutes good etiquette

Wearing a hat gets you noticed. Knowing how to wear a hat makes an impression.

riccardo · 10-01-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photobyalan

Most of them are louts who neither know nor care what constitutes good etiquette

Wearing a hat gets you noticed. Knowing how to wear a hat makes an impression.

Wonderful,photobyalan,you're right!

zeus36 · 10-01-2005, 11:13 PM

Well put !

guitone · 10-02-2005, 06:37 AM

Good to know how much I do right, now to get the tipping into my repitoire.

PutALidOnIt · 10-02-2005, 10:55 AM

I tend to agree with BigMan - I'm a kid of the fifties and remember wearing my JC Penney navy blue porkpie to church with my young man's blue Robert Hall suit. By the age of 10 the basics of 50's hat etiquette was secondary and habit. Some of the old details may be lost nowadays, by virtue - or vice - of the hurried and impersonal nature of the times, but the purposes behind the courtesies of lid fashion still dictate some responsibilty on the part of the wearer.

One personal beef...since very few restaurants and bars have hat racks, much less maintain a hat and coat check facility, where does one put his lid while eating at the typical chain restaurant or local bistro???? Here in Fla, heaven forbid, I have seen no one in 15 years remove his hat - including Panamas - in a bar or restaurant!!! Upon entering and eatery or bar, I feel compelled to have mine in hand before the door closes behind me...but when seated, what should I do? I sure as hell don't want the leftovers of someone's seafood pasta or spilled Budweiser ---ahhhuggghhh---, on the crown of my Borso...Guinness would be OK, I guess...

Siirous · 10-02-2005, 07:36 PM

Putalidonit,

Also living in Fla, I was wondering the exact same thing. When I go into a restaurant if there is an empty chair or stool next to me I'll put it there. If it's a casual place, like at the beach or such and there's no room I'll just suck it up and wear it indoors

Else I just try and store it somewhere around the table where I know it won't get damaged.

What do you guys up in the cold cold north due in the winter when you go out with coats, jackets, scarfs, mittens, etc?

Rob

Snrbfshn · 10-03-2005, 06:46 AM

I make a point of asking where the hat rack is (even when I know there's none). Usually I find the most convenient place to hang it in proximity to my seat, where I can see it. Often this is some place not meant to hang hats, such as a wall ornament. If there's no place to hang it, and no seat to put it on, I put a napkin on the floor under my chair and place it brim-up.

09-22-2005, 12:09 PM	#1
Mojave Jack One Too Many Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Yucca Valley, California Posts: 1,703	All You Need to Know About Hat Etiquette I've read through some of the posts regarding hat etiquette, but I thought I would post these rules for your consideration, as much because of the rules as the verbiage! Quite fun, and enlightening. From "Etiquette," Emily Post, Funk & Wagnall's Company, 1922 and 1927, and purloined from the CavHooah.com site. WHEN A GENTLEMAN TAKES OFF HIS HAT A gentleman takes off his Hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator in which he is a passenger, but he puts it back on again in the corridor. A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator is suggestive of a room, and a gentleman does not keep his Hat on in the presence of ladies in a house. This is the rule in elevators in hotels, clubs and apartments. In office buildings and stores the elevator is considered as public a place as the corridor. What is more, the elevators in such business structures are usually so crowded that the only room for a man's Hat is on his head. When a gentleman stops to speak to a lady of his acquaintance in the street, he takes his Hat off with his left hand, leaving his right free to shake hands, or he takes it off with his right and transfers it to his left. If he has a stick, he puts his stick in his left hand, and gives her his right. If they walk ahead together, he puts his Hat on; but while he is standing in the street talking to her, he should remain Hatless. There is no rudeness greater than for him to stand talking to a lady with his Hat on, and a cigar or cigarette in his mouth. WHEN A GENTLEMAN LIFTS HIS HAT Lifting the Hat is a conventional gesture of politeness shown to strangers only, not to be confused with bowing, which is a gesture used to acquaintances and friends. In lifting his Hat, a gentleman merely lifts it slightly off his forehead and replaces it; he does not smile or bow, nor does he even look at the object of his courtesy. No gentleman ever subjects a lady to his scrutiny or his apparent observation. If a lady drops her glove, a gentleman should pick it up, hurry ahead of her ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù on no account nudge her ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù offer the glove to her and say: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìI think you dropped this!.?¢‚Ç¨? The lady replies: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìThank you.?¢‚Ç¨? The gentleman should then lift his Hat and turn away. If he passes a lady in a narrow space, so that he blocks her way or in any manner obtrudes upon her, he lifts his Hat as he passes. If he is on a street car which is very crowded, when he wishes to leave it and a lady is directly in his way, he asks: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìMay I get through, please??¢‚Ç¨? As she makes room for him to pass, he lifts his Hat and says: ?¢‚Ç¨?ìThank you!?¢‚Ç¨? If he is in the company of a lady anywhere in public, he lifts his Hat to a man who offers her a seat, or who picks up something she has dropped or shows her any other civility. He lifts his Hat if he asks a woman or an old gentleman a question, and always, if, when walking on the street with either a lady or another man, his companion bows to another person. In other words, a gentleman lifts his Hat whenever he says ?¢‚Ç¨?ìExcuse me, Thank you,?¢‚Ç¨? or speaks to or is spoken to by a lady, or by an older gentleman. And no gentleman ever keeps a pipe, cigar or cigarette in his mouth when he lifts his Hat, takes it off, or bows. THE INFORMAL BOW In bowing on the street, a gentleman should never takes his Hat off with a flourish, nor should he sweep it down to his knee; nor is it graceful to bow by pulling the Hat over the face as though examining the lining. The correct bow, when wearing a high Hat, or derby, is to lift it by holding the brim directly in front, take it off merely high enough to escape the head easily, bring it a few inches forward, the back somewhat up, the front down, and put in on again. To a very old lady or gentleman, to show adequate respect, a sweeping bow is sometimes made by a somewhat exaggerated circular motion downward to perhaps the level of the waist, so that the Hat's position is upside down. If a man is wearing a soft Hat he takes it by the crown instead of the brim, lifts it slightly off his head and puts in on again. AT THE OPERA, THE THEATER AND OTHER PUBLIC GATHERINGS In walking about in the foyer of the opera house, a gentleman leaves his coat in the box ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù or in his orchestra chair ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù but he always wears his high Hat. The ?¢‚Ç¨?ìcollapsible?¢‚Ç¨? Hat is for use in the seats rather than in the boxes, but it can be worn perfectly well by a guest in the latter if he hasn?¢‚Ç¨‚Ñ¢t a ?¢‚Ç¨?ìsilk?¢‚Ç¨? one. __________________ "Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the life blood of real civilization." --G. M. Trevelyan Last edited by scotrace : 06-05-2007 at 07:22 AM.

09-22-2005, 01:04 PM	#3
Michaelson One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,798	I especially enjoyed reading the proper wearing of the tophat at the opera. I've never read that one before. Regards! Michaelson __________________ "...remember to read chapters 4 and 5...."

09-22-2005, 02:17 PM	#4
riccardo "A" List Customer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sicily - Italy Posts: 487	...there is only a question... Great thread, but the question is the same: to pinch or not to pinch the crown? How may we to lift our hat, where would we bring it:by the crown...? Need help about it. Regards. Riccardo.

09-22-2005, 09:21 PM	#5
DanielJones Call Me a Cab Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central Coast, California Posts: 2,420	Hats off to you... Great thread sir! Very good information to share. Cheers! Dan __________________ "Fixation is the way to death, fluidity is the way to life."-Miyamoto Musashi

09-23-2005, 04:18 AM	#7
Mulberrywood New in Town Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangkok Posts: 15	I liked the elevator theory information. However, I always take off my hat when I enter a building, even in a corridor. I am not sure why, it just seems correct. __________________ David Hober Custom Made/Bespoke Neckties & Pocket Squares http://www.samhober.com

09-22-2005, 12:31 PM	#2
Matt Jones Familar Face Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 56	Great post -- my hat goes off to you, sir!

09-22-2005, 09:37 PM	#6
Sefton Call Me a Cab Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: About a half a mile from San Jose,California in a 1924 Craftsman bungalow Posts: 2,118	interesting to know...hopefully I won't simply become paralyzed trying to remember what to do the next time I'm in one of those situations! I imagine that the level of these rules being observed was likely less in the big city than in small towns.

09-23-2005, 07:09 PM	#11
The Mad Hatter "A" List Customer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 304	Frankly, this is the sort of thing that makes one understand why people stopped wearing hats. Take off the hat inside a building is one thing - but most of that is, frankly, contrived and ridiculous.

09-30-2005, 08:15 PM	#12
zeus36 "A" List Customer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 367	Can you imagine trying to apply those rules to all the baseball cap wearers you see EVERYWHERE?

09-30-2005, 10:50 PM	#13
KR Familar Face Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 51	Great information! I've always wondered what the "rules" were. __________________ Back to the Past...

10-01-2005, 11:13 PM	#16
zeus36 "A" List Customer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 367	Well put !

10-02-2005, 06:37 AM	#17
guitone Familiar Face Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New England Posts: 96	Good to know how much I do right, now to get the tipping into my repitoire. __________________ guit all things retro: Rivendell bicycles, Martin guitars, Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers.

10-02-2005, 10:55 AM	#18
PutALidOnIt One of the Regulars Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 182	Ahhh, but where do you put it while dining??? I tend to agree with BigMan - I'm a kid of the fifties and remember wearing my JC Penney navy blue porkpie to church with my young man's blue Robert Hall suit. By the age of 10 the basics of 50's hat etiquette was secondary and habit. Some of the old details may be lost nowadays, by virtue - or vice - of the hurried and impersonal nature of the times, but the purposes behind the courtesies of lid fashion still dictate some responsibilty on the part of the wearer. One personal beef...since very few restaurants and bars have hat racks, much less maintain a hat and coat check facility, where does one put his lid while eating at the typical chain restaurant or local bistro???? Here in Fla, heaven forbid, I have seen no one in 15 years remove his hat - including Panamas - in a bar or restaurant!!! Upon entering and eatery or bar, I feel compelled to have mine in hand before the door closes behind me...but when seated, what should I do? I sure as hell don't want the leftovers of someone's seafood pasta or spilled Budweiser ---ahhhuggghhh---, on the crown of my Borso...Guinness would be OK, I guess... __________________ This place is so crowded - no wonder nobody comes here anymore! Yogi Berra Last edited by PutALidOnIt : 10-02-2005 at 12:50 PM.

10-02-2005, 07:36 PM	#19
Siirous One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 162	My question too Putalidonit, Also living in Fla, I was wondering the exact same thing. When I go into a restaurant if there is an empty chair or stool next to me I'll put it there. If it's a casual place, like at the beach or such and there's no room I'll just suck it up and wear it indoors Else I just try and store it somewhere around the table where I know it won't get damaged. What do you guys up in the cold cold north due in the winter when you go out with coats, jackets, scarfs, mittens, etc? Rob

10-03-2005, 06:46 AM	#20
Snrbfshn "A" List Customer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 362	In restaurants... I make a point of asking where the hat rack is (even when I know there's none). Usually I find the most convenient place to hang it in proximity to my seat, where I can see it. Often this is some place not meant to hang hats, such as a wall ornament. If there's no place to hang it, and no seat to put it on, I put a napkin on the floor under my chair and place it brim-up.

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