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ETIQUETTE
for Hats and Caps
You can make your own design on caps and hats!
click here:
Custom Hats
When a
gentleman “dons” his hat to leave or “doffs” his hat to a
lady, his actions are being described by two British colloquialisms that
come from contractions of the phrases “do on” meaning “to do”, and the
Middle English “doffen”, which became “don off” meaning “to do off”!
Hats
are tipped, (or doffed) slightly lifting the hat off your forehead,
when meeting a lady (remove your hat if you stop to talk), or to "say" to
anyone, male or female – thank you, excuse me, hello, goodbye, you’re
welcome or how do you do.
Tipping of the hat is a conventional gesture of politeness. This hat tipping
custom has the same origin as military saluting, which came from the raising
of medieval Knights face visors to show friendliness.
Hats
are worn less now, but at the turn of the 20th century, all
adults wore hats whenever they left the house. It was a matter of good
personal hygiene, since hats were a protection from industrial dirt.
Hats
are removed when inside, except for places that are akin to public
streets, like lobbies, corridors, and crowded elevators (non-residential).
In a public building (where there are no apartments) the elevator is
considered a public area.
You
may choose to remove your hat in a public elevator, but in the presence of a lady your
hat must be removed.
A gentleman takes off his hat and holds it in his hand when a
lady enters the elevator in
any building that can be classified as a dwelling such as
an apartment house or hotel. He puts it on again in the corridor.
A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator in a hotel or
apartment house has the character of a room in a house and there a gentleman
does not keep his hat on in the presence of ladies.
Hats
are removed for the National Anthem, passing of the Flag and funeral
processions, outdoor weddings, dedications, and photographs.
Removed hats are held in hand in such a way that only the outside and never
the lining is visible.
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