Spring is upon us, Easter is coming soon, and baseball season is about to begin here in the U.S. It is the time of year many people wear all sorts of hats, until winter hats are again needed. Actually, this topic has been on my mind for months, waiting for just the right month to do it, and here it is!
Indoors: So… how can I say this nicely without yelling in all capital letters: No man or woman, young or old, should ever, ever, ever, ever wear a sports hat — especially a baseball cap—indoors. Not in restaurants, in someone’s home, at the dining table, at church, a funeral, in a classroom, in a museum, at a movie or performance theatre… on and on. There is absolutely no purpose to keeping your hat on… not even when you are having a bad hair day or need to cover up a bald spot on your head. It’s all about when it’s proper or not proper to wear a hat. It’s purely out of laziness and a false sense of looking cool and in fashion… not! There is equally nothing cool about wearing your baseball cap backwards… again especially indoors.
Except In Public Places: You may wear a hat indoors (yeh… even a baseball cap if you absolutely must) in public buildings, such as airports, public lobbies, and crowded public elevators. However, historically a gentleman will always remove his hat when a lady enters or is in the same elevator. We don’t see this much anymore. When in an apartment building, even though somewhat public, gentlemen will take off their hats while in the company of ladies… another dying art.
[SIDE BAR: A foreign visitor kept seeing Americans wearing their baseball caps indoors, and at times backwards. He determined this style indicated a direct correlation to the wearer’s apparent I.Q (intelligence quotient). Wearing a baseball cap indoors meant an I.Q. was reduced by 50%. Wearing the cap backwards meant an I.Q. was reduced by another 50%... so what’s left? These findings make total sense to me.]
During a Pledge or National Anthem: Another major peeve of mine is how men and women don’t take off their hats and caps during the playing of a national anthem. Regardless of which country’s anthem is played, hats must come off, period. Parents… please train your kids!
During a Prayer at a Ceremony or Event: Display your respect and take off your hat.
In Places of Worship: Some places of worship require head coverings for both men and women, such as Muslim mosques and Sikh temples. Do your research or ask someone before entering such places of worship. Women should always pack one large scarf and one long skirt when traveling internationally for such a need to cover your head. I sure needed them in both Mexico and Greece.
At a Church: Historically churches required women to wear hats or scarves. Now, it is not as required. However, some churches encourage women to wear hats, and in some places it has become quite a lovely display across the entire sanctuary. It is considered disrespectful for men to wear hats in a Christian church.
At a Jewish Synagogue or Temple: Men are required to cover their heads with a “yarmulke,” a small round skullcap, also called a “kippah,” meaning dome or cupola. There is great symbolism and deep meaning behind wearing a yarmulke. Observant men wear theirs during all waking hours, except when bathing and swimming. Doing so bears witness to their faith. It’s a constant reminder of their humility before God and strong belief in something greater than themselves.
How to Take off a Hat: When taking off your hat, hold it so only the outside of the hat shows, not the inside and lining. Hold it in your right hand across your chest and heart, or place it on your seat while standing tall and respectfully.
Exceptions
People in Uniform: People in the military, Boy Scouts, police and people in other uniformed organizations keep their hats on during “full dress.” Many other interesting regulations about hat wearing in the military exist, so hat etiquette is a required course in the military.
Women’s Fashion Hats: Traditionally, women wearing fashion hats are not required to take them off. That said, unless they are small and tight around the head, they too should be removed when at a dining table or in a theatre, sporting event, or other places where they may hamper someone’s view or be disruptive to others. Large hats are generally for the outdoors, not indoors. Think hat civility!
Question of the month: Have you ever been the subject of or a witness to someone being disrespectful or rude by wearing their hat inappropriately? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Enter your comments and questions below for me to reply.
Happy Practicing!
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Tags: baseball caps, hat etiquette, wearing hats
Im not generally ill-mannered orl disrespectful to anyone. At my office and around my family I’m regarded as geneally optimistic person that is independent and hard working. This forum just makes me angry because I feel like I’ve reached another level of civilized and you guys just don’t get it. You’re sitting back thinking “I” just don’t get it. I noticed people in Europe are way more strict about the hat ettiquite when I travel there. Its really simple. I find it to be a tradition developed for helmets over 500 years ago. There is no logical reason to go on doing it. “just because you’re suppose to” isn’t good enough for me. I honestly rarely even wear hats. My feelings for hat etiquette probably stem all the way back when I was 10 years old with t-cell leukemia and people would ask me to take my hat off. It was the only thing holding all my hair from falling on people around me. I strongly strongly believe that it’s a dated tradition. I also believe it shows more self importance to be offended by someone wearing a hat inside. How dare you tell someone else how to dress ? I understand not wearing distracting clothes in the office. Or having to look nice and professional for a client. But if I walk in a friends house i wouldn’t want them to be offended I didn’t remove my baseball cap. Does it mean I’m leaving soon? Hell no. That’s a wild assumption. Do I wear a hat for the functional purpose of being outdoors and protecting my head? Only when I wear a tobagin. When I wear a cap Its because it makes ME more comfortable. It’s more disturbing to me you’re more concerned with your own comfort than your guests. I’ll quit posting on here but the bottom line is no matter how correct you guys think you are… I disagree.
@Katerine+
Hi again All. This is my second time posting on this topic. I first came here to find out why it was improper to wear a hat. That’s it. I was hoping with Katherine’s point list and mentioning your husband being a LT. that some of the points would actually list why it is rude.
Tell your husband, by the way, thanks for his service and yours too. People like you two keep us free in America.
I know a lot of people have gotten all uptight on this topic. I myself only want to know if the only reason it was tradition, then why? All traditions start from a specific reason.
I wear a dress hat inside, even when i eat (depending on the restaurant i am in) I probably, however, would not wear a baseball hat which can be quite dirty. A hat is actually part of my uniform at work and i work inside. It is not mandatory, i just enjoy wearing a hat and it is an accessory to me. I never wear my hats when my head is dirty and i don’t just set them down anywhere. My hat is like my watch. Part of my dress. In fact as my watch goes, even though i wear i use my cellphone for the time mostly. Its part of my dress.
I would, however, take it off if i knew it offended people because that is not what I am about. (That has only happened to me once, a lady asked me to take it off, i was a guest) Its like drinking alcohol, I will have an occasional drink unless I am among someone who has or had a problem with it. I don’t need it that bad to offend someone.
So please, if someone is a great historian, can you find out the answer to why, should a man take of a hat indoors. If the answer is a respected answer than the problem here is not disrespect, but teaching our kids from generation to generation. Which is why i feel the tradition has obviously been forgotten by the majority so it not that important to really practice.
Thanks for all comments and I’ll keep reading.
People like you really need to be shipped to the insane asylum. I think its time we evolve ideas here folks. Please explain to me what is so special about removing your hat? hats now a days are used for style, not just for keeping the sun out of your face. I never understood why wearing a hat is seen as disrespectful, I respect my mother just the same as when I wear a hat and when I don’t wear a hat, there is no change once the hat is placed on my head indoors. there is no magic behind the uncovered head. Unless your hat is a large ridiculous top hat with bunny ears coming out of it. when eating at my house people say its rude that I wear my hat, I don’t see the problem, people wear hairnets to keep hair from falling in there food, couldn’t my had be feasibly used for the same purpose? and even if it wasn’t, who really cares, my hat isn’t doing anything to the food or the people. its like you just say wearing your hat is rude because that;s the thing to say and you’ve never really questioned why. To address the taking off your hat in presence of a lady… even in the 1920s that was still stupid. like i said before, respect has nothing to do with wearing a piece of fabric on your head what so ever, respect is something from inside and it is also earned. in terms of taking your hat off in church to honor the presence of God… i was told that God is everywhere and always with us by priests , teachers, family members. If this is the case.. why even own a hat? this is all just a bunch of bullshit that people made up to sound posh and proper, as if God really worries about the amount of people who don’t take their hats off, I think you would agree that there are much worse things for God to worry about in this world.
Your side bar really makes me laugh too, some foreigner thinks that wearing a hat reflects your intelligence negatively and then wearing it backwards decreases it even more and you agree. It may be time you and that foreigner questions your own intelligence. If Albert Einstein was seen wearing a hat backward by this foreigner (lets assume he didn’t know who he was) then by his theory, it would give Einstein and IQ of 0%. Id say this is extremely accurate. There are some serious anti intellects in this world and guess what, having hat etiquette has nothing to do with it. Surprise.
Interesting topic.
A common opinion I happen upon in this conflict is that it is a sign of pretentiousness, douche-e-ness, low education, barbary etc. I find this comedic. Based on the responses I’ve seen in several blogs about this topic, I feel as if most people who would actually assume these things about a person based on whether or not an object rests upon another person’s head is actually acting presumptuous and pretentious. Especially when they decide to attack the act of wearing a cap backwards as well.
On insulting the conditions of the place: If your building is blasting the A/C or not using sufficient heat, I will be hatted and jacketed if necessary. If you feel that your guest is acting as though your indoors is too cold, perhaps you screwed up and should do something about it. My fingers should not have to turn blue/purple just so I can pretend that I am comfortable. Choice: offend people or endure numb fingers? I choose the former.
On appearing unintelligent: Really? You can determine the intelligence of an individual because they have an object on their head while inside a larger object? Oddly, as I’ve gotten to know people, I’ve personally never found that trend true when it comes to students. I’ve tutored emmaculately polite and proper and more improper students that were dumb as bricks. On the other hand, I’ve known proper students who ace the class and improper students who ace the class. What I see more often is that the ‘professional’ A-students memorize everything and know everything they they’ve been taught, but they cannot for the life of them synthesize an organic answer unless they have directly heard or read the answer at some point. Perhaps proper people are simply very good at regurgetating information and obeying rules. Perhaps disregarding an irrational rule that is meant to trick people into believing an individual is intelligent is actually a sign of a critical thinker. But, we cannot really make that assumption based on my personal experience.
Practicality: Nope. I do not expect rain inside, and I doubt others do either. We like our hats. I am two weeks away from Ph.D. candidacy, which I am being paid 30k/year to do at a research institute. I wear my hat because I like it, it comforts my insecurities, it reminds me of who I really am, and because I am certain some people think I look like some ‘dumb’ farm-boy.
Sidenotes: I actually am quite traditionally polite on fronts where it actually matters: I just really hate it when people use some arbitrary and meaningless rule to fuel their delusions of superiority. Although, my reasons for wearing my hat make me feel superior to the “hat-nazis” so to say. Rules like these are comforting and connvenient because allows a person to quickly size a person up. If you outlaw hats, only outlaws will where hats. So, who cares.
A majority of a person’s body heat dissapates from the head. Go green.
Eric and Michael, great points… I was starting to feel out numbered in here. I’m glad there is some logical thinking going on aside from “it’s what you’re supposed to do just because.”. You are right about it seeming pretentious.
The fact that you are even discussing this is so-o-o-o-o-o stupid. Wear a hat…..don’t wear a hat…….what’s the big deal? Get a life people!!
i will wear my hat where ever and when ever i feel pleased, isnt this america? freedom of expression? you sound like hitler and stalin mixed together, dont like it? move to another country
I am a historian. Soldiers removed their helmets in days gone by to show they trusted the host. It is customary to take your hat off if the flag passes by or if you are in a church or synagogue to show respect. Men used to remove their hats to show respect for women.. an “I take my hat off to you” sort of thing.. Grant you, the way some women act these days, they don’t deserve respect. However i’m a lady whether you are a gentleman or not. If you don’t take your hat off in my house I will ask you to do so. You don’t get to eat at my table with a dirty baseball cap on your head any more than you get to come to the table with dirty hands. I grew up with all brothers, had all sons, raised my grandsons when their father died. None of them ever wore a hat in the house. I care about my guests comfort, but it’s a two way street. If I respect them, they should respect me. It’s a matter of not accepting someone crossing my boundary…the lowest common denominator prevails today because everyone stays silent about what is acceptable. One of the great problems with the world is the sense of entitlement some people feel. If a given custom is something they don’t want to follow, they call it pretentious or make fun of that custom. I did not check the notify box so now have at it as I won’t answer what you have to say. Question asked and answered so those who think politeness is silly might just think about another perspective. Dustin is not incorrect, just well-bred.
I was interested to see this discussion on women’s fashion hats. I think it’s completely fine to wear a women’s hat indoors, unless of course it is obstructing the view of those around her. however, in public i think they are lovely and should be worn respectfully so everyone she’s speaking to can see her eyes entirely! i’ve seen some wonderful new hats for sale.
In your side bar, you mentioned that a person who wears a hat appears to have a lower IQ. Fine, I don’t agree, but I can accept that. However, you then go on to say:
“Wearing a baseball cap indoors meant an I.Q. was reduced by 50%. Wearing the cap backwards meant an I.Q. was reduced by another 50%… so what’s left?”
The way it’s written implies that that the answer you’re looking for is 0. However, when you reduce something by 50% twice, you are left with 25%, which given a very high starting IQ, could still be significant. This is a pretty common and minor mistake to make unless of course you’re trying to insult someone’s intelligence. But hey, I wear my hat backwards, so what do I know…?
Dear Chris: Thank you for writing. Your post is discussing a story I once heard and was conveyed from a perspective of simply being an amusing joke.
Thank you for writing this!!! People who wear their hat inside, at ANY time, upset me very much. I believe that there is no reason for wearing a hat inside, no matter where you are!
To Dustin, this post is not necessarily telling you how to dress but it is pointing out that there is etiquette involved when wearing at hat. Let me say, congratulations on beating your cancer. I understand where you are coming from with the hat covering your lost hair. My son was 4 when he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He did three years of chemotherapy and lost his hair 4 times. He wore hats daily and still does because he is a fair skinned red head! All that said, my son, now 11 years old, knows hat etiquette and removes his every time he enters a building. He removes his hat for the National Anthem, he removes it to say hello to every teacher he passes at school, etc.
Society as become lackadaisical in regards to manners. Manners are a lost art and it is disheartening to think that our children are growing up in an ill-mannered society!
Manners and politeness can be taught to a dog but some do not have the capacity to learn. Most dogs will not crap in the front room if they are taught manners and politeness. Most dogs do not wear a hat but the principal applies. You will believe what you are taught usually. Maybe it is time to think about the purpose of a baseball cap. Why was it invented? Duh. Grow up. Do not appear stupid to other people and wear your cap correctly unless your intelligent quotient is below normal. Use your library to determine what is normal intelligence. Thank you!
I think it is a nice tradition, but it should be judged on a person to person basis. If someone has a disease such a lukemia or is under going chemotherapy, who are we to ask them to take their hat off? If you want to be a gentleman: do it. If not, than don’t. It is equally rude to tell someone that you think they are being rude don’t you think?
I also came here to find out why this is hat wearing indoors thing came to be. What may be a act of politeness to one person, may offend someone else. I do not try to offend anyone on purpose, but if I do I’m sorry. I am a caring person, but those of you I do not know, I will probably never see you again, or never remember you. If you should remember me because of a silly baseball cap, worn inside a building, even backwards. That is up to you. If you thing I”m stupid, dumb, or have a low IQ, that is up to you also. What I have to say is— look the other way my friend! You may not know what is happening to that person right then. They may be busy with lifes real issues. Life is too short to be upset about someone you do not know. Worry about what you have on your own plate, not someone else’s plate. Please concentrate on your own plate, and try to figure out how you shall eat those brussel sprouts without making a nasty face, just to appear polite.
I recently attended a funeral where the friend of the family gave 95% of the eulogy, and the entire time wore a black hat. It was distracting and pretty strange although otherwise she was dressed appropriately. I didn’t really care what she wore, but I was curious – was this just a fashion statement at funeral? I haven’t been able to find anything about black hats at funerals and proper etiquette, does anyone know? Oh – and for the record, there should be dress guidelines for funerals, I do know that much, so spare comments like “what’s the difference?”
Dear A. Carrington: Thank you for writing. For women wearing a hat (even a black one) is considered appropriate as part of the woman’s overall attire… even at funerals. Historically certain churches required women to have head covering, including a hat, scarf, or veil of sorts. The dress guidelines for funerals will differ depending on the culture of the funeral. Most western cultures black is appropriate, although Asian cultures it is white. There are dress guidelines, yet in current times—as you have seen, I’m sure—many people do not follow them. I appreciate your interest in being properly dressed for various occasions.