To bonnet or not to bonnet, that is the question

[MacCathmhaoil]

don't wear hats of any kind indoors or while eating ("remove your hat please").

Thank you! A pet peeve of mine, I played in a pipe band and the DM was know to knock of a patron's cap or two with the business end of his mace when marching into an "establishment" for a refreshment after a parade. It was a site to behold, poor bugger didn't know what happened he just knew not to put it back on!

[Hopper250]

Thank you! A pet peeve of mine, I played in a pipe band and the DM was know to knock of a patron's cap or two with the business end of his mace when marching into an "establishment" for a refreshment after a parade. It was a site to behold, poor bugger didn't know what happened he just knew not to put it back on!

Whether appropriate or not, that DM wouldn't have been treated well by me had he done that to me or my party. His actions were far ruder that any "social faux-pah" and would have been treated as such.

That being said yes a hat should be removed while eating, but not always removed indoors.

[xman]

Dress for the weather I say.

[Geoff Withnell]

And he would have a serious altercation on his hands in some cases. Especially in a multicultural place such as the US or Canada. I'm a Scot by heritage and also a Jew, and I keep my head covered at all times when out of my own home. And if I choose to do so by wearing a caubeen with my kilt outfit, as I often do, he can still keep his mace and his hands to himself!

Thank you! A pet peeve of mine, I played in a pipe band and the DM was know to knock of a patron's cap or two with the business end of his mace when marching into an "establishment" for a refreshment after a parade. It was a site to behold, poor bugger didn't know what happened he just knew not to put it back on!

[rondo]

And he would have a serious altercation on his hands in some cases. Especially in a multicultural place such as the US or Canada. I'm a Scot by heritage and also a Jew, and I keep my head covered at all times when out of my own home. And if I choose to do so by wearing a caubeen with my kilt outfit, as I often do, he can still keep his mace and his hands to himself!

My reasons for staying covered are not religious...but I am with you on this...people are entitled to think or believe whatever they want about my hat wearing ways, even to comment...just don't assault me...it would be bad.
Rondo

[MacCathmhaoil]

Very simply a gentleman does not wear a hat in doors unless in uniform or if it is a religious requirement. Matters not whether a caubeen, balmoral or ball cap! There are certain rules of etiquette that are not cast aside, I may be old school but I still hold a door for a lady, I still say please and thank you and I always remove my hat upon entering.

As for the DM and his mace, it was a relatively small town where those about knew each other and enjoyed the "show". As well at that time it was rare to see a man with a hat on in doors (40 years ago)and you would be asked to remove it, if you chose not to you would have been escorted out immediately. That was the rule of the establishment (Canadian Legion) then and I believe it still is. Perhaps if there are any Canadian Legion member here they'll know if hats are still strictly off in Legion halls here,again with exception for religious or uniform. I have no problem with anyone in uniform or who must keep their head covered in observance of their religious beliefs. I do find it offensive to walk into a restaurant and see men eating with their hats on, I have even seen people have to be asked to remove headwear in a church! It does seem in some instances that people believe that because it is a balmoral or caubeen it is exempt, it is not! If you choose to wear you hat in your house that is fine, you'll not wear it in mine

[Geoff Withnell]

I would not wear a hat in your house, as of course in a man's home his rules are paramount. What I object to is your assumption, when you see a man in a restaurant wearing at hat, that he is not a gentleman, or doesn't know the rules of etiquette. Said rules DO vary, from group to group, and I would not be surprised if there were a kilt wearing man in Toronto who belongs to a group with different rules regarding hat wear.

Very simply a gentleman does not wear a hat in doors unless in uniform or if it is a religious requirement. Matters not whether a caubeen, balmoral or ball cap! There are certain rules of etiquette that are not cast aside, I may be old school but I still hold a door for a lady, I still say please and thank you and I always remove my hat upon entering.

As for the DM and his mace, it was a relatively small town where those about knew each other and enjoyed the "show". As well at that time it was rare to see a man with a hat on in doors (40 years ago)and you would be asked to remove it, if you chose not to you would have been escorted out immediately. That was the rule of the establishment (Canadian Legion) then and I believe it still is. Perhaps if there are any Canadian Legion member here they'll know if hats are still strictly off in Legion halls here,again with exception for religious or uniform. I have no problem with anyone in uniform or who must keep their head covered in observance of their religious beliefs. I do find it offensive to walk into a restaurant and see men eating with their hats on, I have even seen people have to be asked to remove headwear in a church! It does seem in some instances that people believe that because it is a balmoral or caubeen it is exempt, it is not! If you choose to wear you hat in your house that is fine, you'll not wear it in mine

[Nathan]

I would not be surprised if there were a kilt wearing man in Toronto who belongs to a group with different rules regarding hat wear.

Indeed. ;)

[MacCathmhaoil]

Geoff there are I am sure people who's beliefs vary. I was raised with a more old world belief where there were certain rules of etiquette that should be abided by a gentleman. These rules were hard and fast, one did not swear or use coarse language in the presence of a lady, one always held the door open and one always removed ones hat as both a consideration of others and as a sign of respect. While not all of the rules,these are certainly some of the more commonly applied if you will. I respectfully see no need to wear a balmoral or any other hat for that matter while sitting down to dinner in a restaurant. Perhaps I have missed something?
I can recall that even in the military you were obliged to remove your headdress when entering the mess in all but a few cases, again religious requirements exempted. I personally believe that the world might be a better place if there were perhaps a bit more attention paid to courtesy and etiquette. That however is a discussion, the finer points of which are best suited to take place over the aromas of a good single malt!

[Hopper250]

I have even seen people have to be asked to remove headwear in a church!

This line illustrates the issue the best, because I know churches where a hat is required wear and without it you get funny looks.

In your comment you explain that he did it to people he knew. Which is one of the few times such actions are acceptable. The idea that he would do that to a stranger was the problem. And I would have expected to be told that a hat is not acceptable in the Hall upon entering, if I were wearing one.

Also you show a difference in US and Canadian cultures. In the US all military members in uniform remove their head wear inside a building.