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 backward… 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 backward. 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 backward 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 their heads. 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.
People with religious and medical requirements. In this instance, people will choose specific head coverings that may be worn anywhere, indoors and out.
Women’s Fashion Hats: Traditionally, women wearing fashion hats are not required to take them off when indoors. That said, unless they are small and tight around the head, they too should be removed when at a dining table. at 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!
Thank you for enlightening me regarding the specifics of hat etiquette. I was always taught that it’s acceptable for ladies to wear hats indoors with the exception of attending a venue where attendees are seated (theater, etc) where a hat would obstruct the vision of others in attendance. Last night, I arrived at a restaurant and was informed they have a no hat policy. Men and women. It was 11 degrees F. I trudged through 4 city blocks of snowy/icy pathways. Some unshovelled. I was wearing a fitted winter hat with a pom-poms. Yes! I had a bad case of hat hair. I complied and removed my hat. I’m sure that other diners may have been more offended by the appearance of my flat/fuzzy/un styled hair than they ever would have been by my hat. BTW-i did try to make m hair presentable after removing my hat. AND received multiple compliments on my HAT before being seated.
Technically, unless for specific medical or religious reasons, and then those hats must be proper and tasteful in its designs, no hats are ever needed to be worn indoors, in my thinking.
on a recent cruise we went to a show. A very tall cowboy got there early enough to sit up front with his cowboy hat on, blocking the view behind him. Very selfish and rude!!!
“Great read! I really enjoyed the insights and how clearly everything was explained. It’s always refreshing to come across content that not only informs but also sparks new ideas. Looking forward to more posts like this. Keep up the excellent work!”
I’ve always found this argument for anything besides Church services, absurd. I asked a retired air force one time “why should someone take it off” and he said “because it’s a sign of respect.”
Says who? On what authority? The Bible is the only one I know, so I remove mine for church. But walking inside a building?? It’s a vestigial custom from times long gone and the people adamant it comes off, I’ve NEVER heard provide an adequate answer besides “it’s the right thing to do.”
♂️
I love Elon Musk but yesterday he wore a baseball cap in the Oval Office with the President seated next to him!! It looked disrespectful.
Comment?
Looking this up after seeing a video of Elon Musk wearing a ball cap in the oval office.
Wearing a hat at a sporting event especially a domed football stadium etiquette for men removing their hats is different
Should we take off our hat when receiving a trophy?
Hello Seshadri: These days taking off your hat as a sign of respect can be shown in many specific situations, globally. I am unusre of the specifics to respond with a definite answer to your question.
I have a question. Is it really that bad to wear a hat? Someone suffering from alopecia areata may need to wear a hat to cover up not just one, but numerous spots. Putting the hair in a ponytail may cover one, but completely expose the other. The hat is a way to make the hair look okay, especially when in a setting and society where everyone judges people for absolutely no reason. I understand the etiquette, and will work to improve myself, but please take this into consideration. They really mean no disrespect, they are just trying to look presentable and be confident in themselves.
Wearing a hat indoors, particularly during solemn occasions such as the national anthem or in church, is often seen as a breach of etiquette, reflecting a lack of awareness rather than a lack of intelligence. In my opinion, adhering to these customs is more about respect and cultural sensitivity than IQ. I once attended a formal event where I inadvertently kept my hat on during the national anthem. It was a humbling experience that taught me the importance of understanding and respecting social norms. This awareness doesn’t correlate with intelligence, but rather with emotional intelligence and respect for tradition, which are equally valuable in navigating social landscapes.
Wearing a hat in a dining facility should be a no no, in respect for the dead, dining areas were used as make shift medical facilities in war time,
I don’t know about now, but at any military retiree gatherings indoors, or anyplace indoors I see retirees wearing hats, it grinds me. As a retiree myself I still have some respect
I have never ever seen someone who is a millionaire or one who stays at 5 star resorts or eats in a 5 star restaurant wear a baseball cap reversed indoors. It is repulsive and SO SO low class!!
The levels of ignorance is below common sense on this author.
Historically, caps were removed for 2 major reasons : avoid dirt from hats into the house like a coat, to show good faith that you're not hiding weapons.
we don't live in the industrial times of flying ash in cities or weapons like blade under hats.
Live with the times and learn that you're not the church or God. These so called rules are man made for reasons that don't make sense anymore. the ones which do are laws.
Also, women with short hair without hair issues are defying the god made image. You evil.
* "Leave cap on a briefcase" – heavens is this author from previous era 😀
* "no cap in place of business" – clearly you've not entered a tech company or understand it's nobody's business to decide what to wear on the head. it ain't devil horns to church.
I've had my fedoras sat on, used as a toy by kids, picked up by guests at parties with sticky frosting encrusted fingers, grabbed off the table by female strangers that think its cool to violently whip it about by the brim while dancing to some vile disco tune thus crimping and staining the panama straw edge with damp sweat, stealthily attempting to make off with it, etc. Until clubs' coat and hat checks return, I'll just put it where it's safe, on my head. Thank you very much.
Wearing cap is a personal preference and modern fashion. Many of wearing cap enthusiast wherever the place they will go is making them comfortable and giving them confidence in a certain situation. Nowadays, many people are respectful with others personal preference and everybody should learn about this matter.
Hats are for the outside, I mean all hats not just baseball caps.
There is NO EXCUSE for a man to wear a hat indoors.
In the UK Military they have to take their beret off indoors. I was in the RAF so personally it doesn't matter where I am indoors, I'll always take it off
I'm part of a local theater group doing a production of "Patience" by Gilbert and Sullivan. I play the part of a Dragoon Guard / solider (men's chorus) wearing a plastic helmet with a pickelhaube and a tassel. At the end of the show, should we remove our helmets when we bow to the audience? (That tassel wants to go all over the place!) If so, under which arm should the helmet be placed when bowing? Thanks, S.M.
Hello Steve… Absolutely, you should remove your hat when taking bows at the end. This way the audience can see the true actor who is playing the part in the play. This is also most typical when actors wear masks (Lion King, Phantom, etc.), and other head coverings that hide their true identity. End applause is all about applauding the true actors who portray their characters. “Break a leg!”
just would like to add another military practice which allows veterans during the national anthem to keep their hat on and salute and if they choose to remove their hat hold it over their left breast both are accepted and encouraged
There's nothing that says 'simpleton' more eloquently than a baseball cap worn backward.
Yeah. At damn near every Texas A&M football game or other TAMU sporting event I’ve been to in the past two decades, @$$holes can’t be bothered to remove their hats for the National Anthem and will get visibly and verbally hostile if you remind them to TAKE THEIR FU-**ING HAT OFF.
Sgt B: It’s all about respect and a courtesy shown for our National Anthem and Flag, which many Americans/citizens have never understood. Thanks for writing.
Thanks for the insight. We recently had a new finance advisor on zoom assigned to us. First impression of this guy with a baseball cap on backwards—aweful. And his disrespect did not stop there. A well bred gentleman would not be so flippant especially with first impressions.
Hello Patrice: Thanks for taking the time to post your comment. As you no doubt saw, there are plenty of varying views on this topic. I appreciate this updated witness to how first-impressions in a professional setting (virtual and in-person) counts. Baseball caps are not part of professional attire, unless you work for the team.
How annoying to see women in labor with men wearing hats!
I'm confused. Is this woke culture? I've honestly never heard that wearing hats indoors was bad etiquette. That must have been back in the 60s or 70s. Now in 2023, wherevee it's okay to wear shorts (in many restaurants, stores, tourist attractions, on planes, trains, boats, taxis, Ubers, theaters, and everywhere else where shorts and t-shirts are allowed, hats are 100% appropriate.
Hello Tanner: Yes, times have changed and many ways have gone by the side of the road. Yet, the well-mannered person, who is well-educated in the art of the ‘old ways’ as you put it, will win out in the end in being considerate to the environment they are in. Sure, wearing a hat indoors in a mall, or at the airport is certainly fine. Wearing a hat in someone else’s home, in a restaurant, movie theaters, remain less appropriate. We live in a world it’s not what you do, but how you do it that counts. Thanks for taking a moment to write.
The world has changed yes but not all for the good.I looked this up because my friend is going to court I knew the answer you best take that hat off in court room.firsy opinions mean allot.people now days are so disrespectful just like you folks who wrote nasty comments on here.The questions were ask she answered and ya didn't like the answer.wrll go cry in your hats yal know who you are
I grew up in Southern IL and hats at the table were taboo. Lived in TX, LA and MS twenty-eight years of my career and it is fairly common practice, particularly in Red Neck MAGA hunting country and around big bass fishing lakes. I generally still take my hat off in a restaurant because I was taught that way. However, I am bald-headed and when air conditioning is blowing dead on my head. it becomes very cold and uncomfortable, plus it dries my eyes out. Hence, I put my hat on to block the air flow. Sometimes I go back out to the car and get my hat for that reason. Sorry but this old man's head gets cold.
Hello John: Current times allow us to wear appropriate head coverings regardless of gender and situation. The bottom line of this article, first released in 2017, was targeting the wearing of inappropriate hats indoors. The point is when you are bald—or whatever the reason—and you want to wear a hat indoors, choose an appropriate hat, not a baseball cap, or fedora. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Syndi,
If a woman wears a hat or fascinator with a veil that covers her face to a cocktail party or dinner, what is the appropriate thing to do with it when eating? My thought is to move up the veil so it covers the eyes and nose but not the mouth – is this correct?
I hope you are well and Happy New Year.
RE
RE: In current times women wearing hats and fascinators are generally worn during the day, not at night for a dinner or evening cocktail party. If during the day, absolutely the person should move the veil. Better yet, if you know you are going to an event where food is served, don’t wear that kind of head covering, or the netting should only cover the eyes, not mouth.
damn what is this 1950? i'm a woman and i regularly wear a baseball cap indoors. it doesn't matter, no one cares these days.
Seashell: Thank you for the message. While it is true many people no longer care about this topic. I assure you there are those who still do care. What sets a person apart from the pack is being “in the know” to take the right actions when it counts. Thanks for writing.
This is the dumbest artical I've ever read. U know other people have evolved past this Emily Post stuff. Who by the way has been dead for 60 years. If this is all u have to worry abput, this day an age, I'm sure they have medication for your disorder. But in the real world people that have to take their hats off, just because they are inside, are definently not going to respect anybody that tells them to do this. An by the way, respect is earned, an has nothing to do with wearing a hat. In fact the person who ask somebody to remove their hat is rude an deserves No Respect.
Mr. Evolve: In my mind, there is purpose and reasons why anyone asks others to remove their hat. Maybe it’s in a restaurant, a funeral, wedding, or church, where customarily outdoor hats are not worn. Indoor hats are acceptable for men and women.
The well-educated person (which is the purpose of the article) distinguishes themselves by being aware of when it is appropriate and not to wear a hat indoors. Happy Practicing!
I can tell by your rhetorical opinions that you are more than likely a christian gentile with a western European ideology. What you think about how others should do with what they own and put on their bodies means NOTHING. I wear hats as an accessory to my outfits whether I'm dressed formal,casual, or in sportswear because I collect NHL,NFL,NBA,and MLB jerseys and matching hats. I dare anyone to tell me to take off my hat because I'm not doing it. What others wear you shouldn't even give a XXXX because it doesn't affect you. I can tell you're probably another stupid white man that thinks the world should bend to your ideologies and beliefs just because that's what the western European and Roman world thinks which means nothing to me. I wear hats as a part of my culture and it's my right to cover up any part of me that I don't want the world to see. Your etiquette opine rhetoric means nothing. People are going to do what they do and there's nothing you can do about you might think you can say or write something but it's still not going to change anyone else's actions and behavior. There are much bigger existential systematic problems in this world that DO AFFECT millions and billions people that should be brought to the fore that makes wearing a hat inside a building look quite mundane and minuscule.
Onaga: We all write to share thoughts and opinions. I wrote the article to share my thoughts. You wrote to share your opinion which I am posting, as well.
Happy Practicing!
This is a great post and I was raised to do this. Now that I’m bald at age of 40 I always feel cold even indoors (except summer), wearing a hat all day everyday is the only thing that helps my body warm and makes me comfortable. This is more notable when I’m in the office and aircon is always on and regulated. What ways can I solve this? Does a beanie have a different approach? Thank you.
Bob: Thanks for the comment and question. Yes, there are a number of fashionable men’s head coverings (not necessarily hats) that are appropriate to wear indoors. Beanies are a good option over baseball caps. I prefer cloth beanies over the knitted types. Some are called luxury beanies.
Many cultures around the world also wear head coverings, plus others who for medical reasons must also wear hats all the time.
Any chance of redirecting or covering the air vents directly over your desk area? Have fun searching online for appropriate head coverings you will enjoy wearing. This shows you care about being as appropriate as possible in the workplace and seeking out respectful alternatives from which to choose. Happy Practicing!
Impressive! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for taking a moment to write.
Such great information. This is really very helpful for bloggers
I am from non-English culture. But I’ll be highly thankful to a person if somebody can help me to tell everything about ‘English Hats and Hat Etiquette’. I’m interested in contemporary English Hats (especially Hats worn/used in London) Can somebody suggest me a Visual (like DK Publication) and/or an Illustrated Book, Encyclopedia or something like this. Gentleman/ Gentlemen Do
Excuse me If I’ve written some wrong (though unintentionally).
Warm Regards,
Kanwaljit Singh (India)
Hats, in most cases, is protection from wind, rain, snow, sleet and what have you. Indoors this is not needed.
Sadly, the staffed wardrobe where you could check in your outerwear is not everywhere where it is appropriate to take of your hat. Maybe a hat pocket should be introduced to jackets, shirts and pants? Suited for the ballcap.
People are oblivious to the fact that they are wearing caps, it seems.
And, “gender” is not only a grammatical term. Gender: The “male-or-female sex” sense is attested in English from early 15c. As sex (n.) took on erotic qualities in 20c., gender came to be the usual English word for “sex of a human being,” in which use it was at first regarded as colloquial or humorous. Later often in feminist writing with reference to social attributes as much as biological qualities; this sense first attested 1963.”
My older brother in-law who is in his fifties is still wearing a baseball cap. He wears it when entering the family house, funeral house, restaurant, when seeing the doctor. Once he was told off politely to remove his cap during a church funeral service. I guess he felt embarrassed. In my opinion, people who wear a cap 24 hours are in secure of their personality and have something to hide. Mind you he’s not even bald. How should I tell him politely?
Francesca: As we know, baseball caps were invented for outdoor wearing to shade the sun. Of what purpose is it to wear it indoors? We cannot “make” anyone do anything. We can only ask politely. Good luck!
What about Kid Rock and Ted Nugent wearing hats in the Oval Office ?
http://www.gq.com/story/sarah-palin-kid-rock-white-house