Hats Off to You!

 

Leave it on? Take it off? When? Where? The following short quiz will educate you and test your knowledge of proper hat etiquette (answers below). 

QUESTIONS:

1. A gentleman removes his hat when entering

a) a restaurant

b) an office building

c) a bank

d) a shopping mall

e) all of the above

2. A lady

a) may always keep her hat

b) removes her hat when entering a restaurant, office, or home

c) neither of the above

ANSWERS:

1. (a) A gentleman removes his hat when entering

· a restaurant,

· a church (except in an orthodox synagogue, where a gentleman might be required to cover his head),

· an individual office,

· a home,

· an apartment building,

· a hotel lobby,

· an elevator for a hotel or apartment,

· a store,

· a theatre, or

· a courtroom.

A gentleman may keep his hat in

· a bank,

· an airport terminal,

· an office building (remove when entering an individual office),

· a post office (or similar public building)

· an elevator for a public building or office building, or

· a shopping mall (remove when entering individual stores).

2. (c) Generally, a lady may keep her hat at all times, but a lady who is a military officer removes her hat in dining rooms and in the officers' clubs.

Of course, a gentleman always removes his hat during the National Anthem. Not only is this proper, it is the law!

See:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode36/usc_sec_36_00000301----000-.html

Traditionally, ladies kept their hats during the Anthem because their hats were often anchored to their head with hatpins, etc., or removing it would destroy an elaborate hairdo. Today, if a lady wears a casual or unisex hat (e.g. a baseball cap, etc.), it is considered proper for her to remove it during the National Anthem.

Enjoy your headwear this blustery time of year, and know that you'll be appropriately hatted at all times!