So KG kindly responded to the previous post with a kind of revival of his New Gentlemen's Guide. Some interesting points follow, to which I shall respond in like kind, because that's just the kind of New Gentlemen we are.
Before he lays out the rules, he notes:
The first question, of course, is what kind of hat you're wearing. If you're actually wearing an old school fedora, then you should probably follow the old school rules of removing it when you enter a building.Indeed. However, I do tend to worry just a bit about those who wear them.
Golf hats, particularly if worn backwards, get a little more flexibility. Baseball hats, which are basically the standard listed below, get the most leeway.Not sure why this should be so. With rare exceptions (largely religious or medical, as previously noted) hats is hats. I cut no slack for them.
Oh, and unless you actually own either a horse or a cow - or both - you should not be wearing a cowboy hat. Ever.Welllll... mostly I agree with this, but those of us from ranching families have a powerful hankerin' for 'em at times, especially when we're out at the ranch or at a rodeo.
But yes. As a rule, city slickers should avoid them, if only to avoid looking foolish.
And now on to KG's rules for wearing hats:
1. In your home, it doesn't count, do whatever you wantYes, a man's home is his castle (assuming he's not married).
But, as with other things one may do in the privacy of one's own home, would you tell your grandmother about it?
2. Hats are allowed at indoor arenas and stadiums, particularly if at a concert or sporting eventTrue. Sports are "outdoor" events, including those normally played indoors.
But concert... okay, for popular music at a stadium-type venue, yes. For a concert hall or auditorium normally dedicated to music, no, even for pop music.
3. A corollary of the sporting event rule is that hats are also allowed at sports barsAt first I was going to disagree with this. A bar is, after all, indoors. However, given the beer and other fluids that often fly in sports bars, a hat can be seen as a defensive measure so I will agree that this can be considered a valid exception to the general rule.
4. Casinos, particularly poker rooms, hats are definitely allowed, and should be encouragedHmm. Must be Vegas rules. I don't play high-stakes poker, so perhaps I am out of my element here, but it's indoors so I would say no. Did James Bond wear his hat inside the casino at Monte Carlo? I think not.
Were I running the World Series of Poker, I would have a dress code for the players. First rule: no hats. Second rule: For Annie Duke only, no shirt.
5. As a general rule, yes, Ken is right, a hat should be removed when you enter a building. However, wearing a hat in common areas (hallways, lobbies, etc) is acceptable.Mostly agree, though only for short visits or traveling through. If loitering, doff the hat.
6. Always, I repeat, ALWAYS, remove your hat for the playing of the national anthem. Failure to do so should result in your pummeling following "…and the land of the freeeeeee".Really, it should have been slapped off your head by the end of "can you see". Pummeling optional, but highly encouraged.
7. Tip your hat when you say hello or good-bye. This can be done subtly with nothing more than a finger on the bill, or, if it's a beautiful lady, the full blown removal.Indeed. It's a sad commentary on modern society that this should need to be said.
8. If wearing a baseball hat, please, for the love of all that is holy, bend the bill a bit. The flat bill just looks dumb.And for God's sake, don't wear it sideways. Backwards is bad enough.
9. And take the friggin' stickers and tags off the damn things"Minnie Pearl, I'm looking at YOU."
10. In the classroom, it's a toss up. I'll admit to wearing a hat in the classroom in high school, college, and even law school. I think it depends on the professor, the topic, and generally where you are.Radically disagree here, especially for high schoolers. It's not the school's job to teach them the manners that should have been taught by the parents, but nor should such behavior be accepted.
Of course, once they get to college, they are supposed to be adults. Not that the professor shouldn't enforce certain rules of decorum in the classroom, but hey, if they want to live with the consequences of rude behavior (like this twit, in a somewhat different context), let 'em.
11. If you are meeting someone who's job is listed in either the US or State Constitution, take the hat off.Why should I doff my hat to an employee?
Just kidding. Agreed.
Just remember, if in doubt, take it off.The hat only, of course. Unless you're Annie Duke.
Your turn, KG.
