Why do so few gentlemen remove their hats indoors anymore?

[Gideon]

We used to remove hats because they were a tool. A piece of protective equipment. Ladies weren't expected to remove theirs because they were for decoration.

If I am working on a project with goggles and latex gloves, I'll remove them before going back into my home. If I have a hat on that I am wearing to protect my face from the sun when I mow the lawn, I'll take it off when I go inside. On the same line of reasoning, if I wear a hat for style (which I almost never do), then I likely won't bother to take it off inside, anymore than a lady is likely to remove jewelry or decorative accessories.

 

[tntrex]

No hat rack, no hair, some dont remember, some dont think their style of hat is a hat, some dont give a fart, etc etc

 

[Brandi]

I grew up in the country where all the guys wore a hat and many of the girls too. You wore a cowboy hat or a ball cap because you were outside in the sun working or, on off time, relaxing. The hat is ingrained in "country" culture, becoming much more than a tool to block the sun but an expression of the person wearing it from the tilt of the hat to the shape of the brim. Where i grew up you were generally out working, with your hat on, and when it came time to go eat, at home or out, you kept your hat on because nobody else wants to eat their food looking at someones nasty, sweaty, hat-headed melon.

As for wearing them indoors I think it depends on the situation. If you're a church going person you should respect the protocols of whichever church you attend. Eating out at a restaurant I'd say keep it on (set it down and you may lose it or drop it on some nasty floor) unless it's an "upscale" place then you probably wouldn't be wearing it anyway. If you're having dinner with friends it depends on if it's casual or not and the home owners preference.

Now the door thing is different, I believe you should open the door or hold it open for whoever is in front or behind you. I'll hold the door open even for guys. That's just common courtesy in my book. The times have changed. What was considered "mannerly" years ago may not be now and, honestly, I couldn't care less. I put a lot more stock in courtesy than manners anyway. Don't tell me how I should sip my soup and be proper and I won't won't shank you in the liver. It's a simple rule but one I find carries itself well through all aspects of life .

 

[JB Books]

In the "old days," a man tipped his hat to a lady. Took it off when a lady got on an elevator (or he got an elevator with a lady). They came off when you went "inside" to eat. They came off in church and the court house.

Benefit of growing up with grandparents who grew up during the Depression.

 

[uncle money bags]

A gentleman does remove his hat. Lets not change the definition so that ungentlemanly type folk can feel better.

 

[dowmace]

I always remove my hat before going indoors, but it's a habit from the military. My girl calls me out on it all the time, "You know you're not in uniform, right?" When I was bartending I liked calling out "cowboys" that wore their hats inside. Any self respecting cowboy knows you take your hat off inside and around ladies.

If you think a man isn't a real cowboy because he didn't take his hat off at the bar well buddy I'll meet you out at the ranch and we will see who can rope and ride.

Take your $300 Stetson off at the bar and count to ten and it'll be gone. Ladies or no ladies things are what they are.

Proper respect would be to remove your hat when meeting the lady and introducing yourself then it may be placed back on the head.

 

[Parks 788]

Funny story: when my grandfather (former commander in the Navy, WWII) was alive the whole family would got to the Yacht Club every Sunday morning for brunch. I was about 13 years old at the time and my cousin brought here newish boyfriend of about 6 months to brunch. He was wearing a cap in the club at the table. My grandfather, about 75 years old at the time, asked him to take his hat off several time quietly from the head of the table where he sits. The BF was being polite but making excuses as to why he wanted to leave it on. Several of the other adults were whispering to him to remove it. After about 3 minutes my grandfather got up slowly walked over behind the BF's chair and gave a good hard slap to the side, top of his head and sent the hat flying. Lesson learned. Still a good dinner time story when we all get together.