Hat Etiquette

While out to eat the other day I noticed a man sitting at a table enjoying dinner with his family wearing a nice trilby. While I applaud his sense of style I must point out a major faux pas. French for “false step”, or boiled down to common parlance, in this instance, a classless fu*k up. Why? There are long established and accepted social “norms” regarding how one treats others or how one acts in public, among others.

One of these is knowing when and where it’s acceptable to leave your hat on and when and where your hat should be removed. Sitting at the dinner table, regardless of whether you’re home or out in public, is one of those times it should be removed. Removing ones hat is a sign of respect, know when to do it. With that said, below is a basic guide to hat etiquette.

Indoor/outdoor

The most basic rule - hats on outdoors and remove your hat when indoors. Regardless of being outdoors, if the national anthem is played, remove your hat. When ever a flag is raised or lowered remove your hat, face the flag and cover your heart. If the national flag passes you in a parade, remove your hat when the flag passes and put it back on once the flag has passed. When taps is played, military in uniform will salute, a civilian should remove their hat.

Public/private spaces

Following up the indoor/outdoor rule, when moving inside of a public location it’s ok to leave your hat on temporarily while in a large public indoor space, such as a hotel or office building lobby, especially as your hands may be full (luggage, briefcase, etc.), but once you leave the main reception area and enter a private room or office within, remove your hat. As in the restaurant example I mentioned earlier, you should remove your hat once inside, especially once you’ve been seated. Always remove your hat at the table. “Little Johnny” has his ball cap on? Tell him to remove it. Teach your children class and respect while they’re young - it will serve them well throughout life.

Weddings and funerals

Remove your hat unless there are specific religious reasons or considerations not to.

Religious considerations

These rules don’t apply when there are religious considerations such as those that require head coverings for men or women.

Other considerations

If you’re outside at a public venue, such as a stadium or ball park, even though it’s ok to leave your hat on, do the right thing and remove it if it’s blocking the view of people behind you.

When being introduced to someone it’s polite to remove your hat - put it back on after the introduction has been made.

It’s ok to leave your hat on in an elevator if your hands are full, such as if you’re carrying your bags/luggage.

When riding public transportation or moving through an airport, bus or train terminal it’s ok to leave your hat on until you’ve been seated. If your hands aren’t full, however, consider removing it anyway as a sign of class and respect.

*Note, when removing your hat, especially if it’s a nice hat such as a fedora or a trilby, never take it off or put it on by holding the crown. The crown is the weakest part of the hat - especially straw. Handle it by the brim. If it’s just a quick “tip of the hat” and your going to grasp the hat by the crown to do so, grasp it gently between three fingers - pointer, middle and thumb.