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How do folks react to your hat wearing?

Messages
17,587
When I smiled and tapped my hat, he giggled and grinned from ear to ear. At that age I don't know if his cognitive functions were developed enough for him to actually understand we were wearing similar hats, but he seemed to so it was a nice little moment for me.
Just like when newborn babies smile in their sleep, he was probably just passing gas.
 
Messages
19,129
Location
Funkytown, USA
Not a reaction, but an anecdote.

On Friday, I had a meeting scheduled with a gentleman on the financial management team of the project I'm working on. He had invited a third person, a young lady new to the program and he is getting her feet wet. Looking at the meeting invite, I was intrigued by her last name.

Hatmaker.

I have since assigned her to research her last name and give me a full report when we next meet.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
Messages
11,912
Location
Southern California
Greetings All:
In ALL seriousness, i’ve noticed people seem to get out of my way. Which i like. Don’t know if it’s the hat though?? Maybe the age, the beard, maybe something else. Idk
B
It could be any number of things, including Trenchfriend's suggestion. For whatever reason people seem to be friendlier towards me when I'm wearing one of my hats. Maybe I appear more accessible or maybe they make me look goofier than I think they do, but I've had strangers walk up and talk to me like I was an old friend--people who otherwise probably woudn't even acknowledge my presence. But then, I've had close personal friends tell me that I regularly "put off a vibe" or carry myself in a way that can be intimidating to some people. o_O Me? Seriously???
I1SQyi8.gif
 
Messages
18,941
Location
Central California
It could be any number of things, including Trenchfriend's suggestion. For whatever reason people seem to be friendlier towards me when I'm wearing one of my hats. Maybe I appear more accessible or maybe they make me look goofier than I think they do, but I've had strangers walk up and talk to me like I was an old friend--people who otherwise probably woudn't even acknowledge my presence. But then, I've had close personal friends tell me that I regularly "put off a vibe" or carry myself in a way that can be intimidating to some people. o_O Me? Seriously???
I1SQyi8.gif

I’ve been told similar. I’ve had people tell me they were afraid to approach me for the first six months they knew me. I’ve had people say they kept calling me “Sir” because I was a scary guy who always looked pissed off and they were intimidated. I go out of my way to get to know the new people who work for me and I’m intentionally a little goofy around them just to put them at ease. No one wants, or should have to, work somewhere where they feel uncomfortable. Sometimes at staff meetings I’ll use a hat as a prop to put folks at ease.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Doctor Jones

Familiar Face
Messages
96
Location
Orange County California
I'll tell you what, joining this site has completely changed how I react to other's hatwearing!

I work at Disneyland and I see tens of thousands of The General Public every day.

And due to this site I recognise hats. The other day there was an Australian tourist and I greeted him and said "nice hat, is that an Akubra Cattleman?" and he said indeed it was. With an American guy it was a Stetson Stratoliner. And so it goes, it's a great conversation-starter and it lets them know that their hats are appreciated.
 
Messages
11,912
Location
Southern California
...And due to this site I recognise hats. The other day there was an Australian tourist and I greeted him and said "nice hat, is that an Akubra Cattleman?" and he said indeed it was. With an American guy it was a Stetson Stratoliner. And so it goes, it's a great conversation-starter and it lets them know that their hats are appreciated.
It's interesting how some people open up if you show a little interest in the hat (or any item of clothing, really) they're wearing, especially if you're somewhat knowledgeable about it and appear to share their tastes. A few years ago I saw a young man at a local market wearing a brown corduroy 8-panel/Newsboy cap, and asked him about it. He was pleasantly surprised when I not only recognized the name of the company that made it (Hat People), but told him I had a few of their caps myself and was thinking of getting one like his. It led to a very pleasant conversation about caps and hats, and it seemed to confirm for him that his thoughts about getting a good fur felt brimmed hat were a step in the right direction.

On the other hand, I've had more than a few young men ask me about whichever hat I was wearing (usually one of my Akubras). When I mentioned the price(s) I could see their demeanor change, but when I informed them a good fur felt hat would likely last decades (rather than a few years like the inexpensive hats they had been buying) to their credit they immediately recognized the value in spending a bit more to receive a much higher quality product.
 
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MondoFW

Practically Family
Messages
852
What I like about my Sea Spray panama (Which I shared in the Panama Hat Thread) is that it looks expensive by today's market standards, while it actually pales in comparison to other panamas of the same era. It is my go-to vacation hat while I'm here in NYC, and loads of people have complimented me on the hat. Usually old ladies, but more college-aged or highschool kids have been taking note, and sharing their interest. I get some weird looks, but I think that's more the 40's-style outfit I usually wear WITH the hat, more than just the fact that I'm wearing the hat. This is actually the first time I have dipped my toe in regular hat-wearing (My other vintage hat really only goes well with dark lounge suits), and I'm loving the experience so far.

The only challenge I can think of is the Redditors that generalize fedora-wearers as geeky, filthy pushovers. But eh, I don't think I run into too many of those. Not worth sacrificing the practicality and confidence I get out of the hat, anyway.
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,161
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
The only challenge I can think of is the Redditors that generalize fedora-wearers as geeky, filthy pushovers. But eh, I don't think I run into too many of those. Not worth sacrificing the practicality and confidence I get out of the hat, anyway.

I had to look up redditor, and although the definitions were kind of vague, I get the idea.

You know what they say - anyone can be anything on the internet, and 90% of it is crap.

Don't believe me? Take a look at facebook. :D
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
With a older crown on the Holland America cruise line, my hat collection was noticed daily. The hat that got the most comments was my early century Derby. Many just stared, but I was able to share the difference between a English Bowler and an American Derby with many of them. Lots of Aussies and New Zealanders on the cruse. Did see quite a few "out back" styled hats.
20Jun18 Deck view Duplex 400x.jpg
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,161
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
With a older crown on the Holland America cruise line, my hat collection was noticed daily. The hat that got the most comments was my early century Derby. Many just stared, but I was able to share the difference between a English Bowler and an American Derby with many of them. Lots of Aussies and New Zealanders on the cruse. Did see quite a few "out back" styled hats.
View attachment 124138

Cruises are fun. Glad you had a good time.
 

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