what is the reasoning behind not wearing a hat indoors?

Question

history? is it bad manners to wear a hat indoors today?

Answer 1

Customs start in the oddest ways. I was in the US Navy personnel office and a mom and son came in. The son had a 'do rag' on. There's a sign that says "PLEASE REMOVE ALL HATS AND COVERS." The Petty Officer in charge told the son, 'take off your cover, please', referring to his 'do rag'...the son scowled and mom smacked him in the back of his head and he did remove the 'do rag.'
I've seen men not remove their hat at the playing of the National Anthem...and even continue talking to someone else. I'm not above telling someone to take their *&(*^%&^%(*^(&^ HAT OFF in that case.

A man removing his hat indoors began with men of 'lesser rank' removing whatever headress or coronet (crown) they had on to show that they were not trying to challenge or be disrespectful to the king or cheiftan of their country. The first man to do this was in 1312 (just kidding... don't know the exact date). The first man to not do this was "handed his hat."

Answer 2

Wearing Hats Indoors

Answer 3

It's bad manners for a man to wear a hat indoors but not women. It started when everyone wore hats but women's hats were part of their wardrobe. Men as always have been expected to take their hat off in the presence of a woman or indoors. We have lost this aspect of good manners. Now men don't care or don't have good manners or both. There are some things that shouldn't be lost and I'm still offended by men wearing hats indoors and certainly not respecting women by not taking them off. But how can we expect men to follow etiquette when neither men nor women dress appropriately and everything seems to be a big "I can do whatever I want" free for all.

Answer 4

"Sometimes" is a key word. The rules vary from one place to another. In the Armed Forces the rule is that a servicemember will not be "covered" (wearing a hat) indoors unless he or she is under arms. In other words, hats off if you aren't packing heat. The Navy Department takes it a step further with a rule that a Marine or sailor may not render a salute unless covered. The Army and Air Force allow a member to salute uncovered. In the civilian world it is considered a courtesy for a man to remove his hat or cap when indoors, particularly when dining. In Texas, however, and some other western and southwestern states a man may wear his Stetson or other western hat anywhere he chooses. This "rule" has been extended to include ball caps, including Dallas Cowboys, UT Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, John Deere and Chevy truck ball caps, among others. Ladies who wear hats can pretty much wear them anywhere they want to in most situations. All of this is okay by me since I rarely wear a hat or cap. When I do it is mainly to keep the sun off my head, and the sun doesn't shine indoors. Not if you have a good roof, anyway.

Answer 5

Reasons people gave in this discussion and others I've seen against wearing a hat indoor almost laughable. I think people just want to hold on to their very old, outdated and nonsense tradition that they have been brought up with. I think some traditions against wearing shoes indoor is also nonsense except to prevent damages to the floor.

Answer 6

am not so sure where it came about but yes wearing a hat indoors is the height of rudeness IMO, usually it advised to people [my children's friends] that hats etc UNLESS supergued to your head will be removed at the door........... same goes for any one else, also for a man to wear a hat to the dinner table is again the height of rudeness.
Ladies on the other hand the ruling is different when it is part of the church outfit etc, then wearing it inside is either required or acceptable, but if it was some dingy baseball cap that also would be removed at my front door.

regards

Answer 7

Knights removed their helmets so you could see their face. During the industrial revolution, hats were to protect from dirt and debris from the smoke so they were dirty. So to remove it and hang it was obviously the thing to do. Hats for warmth are needed inside so to leave it on lets people know you are in a hurry. Today hats are as much of the outfit as a shirt or tie so. They are nothing more than fashion. Women have always been able to leaver their hats on because they were part of the outfit which is what it has come to for men. So to be offended when someone leaves they hat on inside (national anthem obviously excluded) is silly. You are thinking something is rude out of ignorance or just the desire to hang on to traditions that have outlived their purpose.

Answer 8

Hats, coats, scarves, gloves are all outdoor wear. You take them off when you come in the house. Is it bad manners to wear a hat indoors today? Yes, it is, but it is largely ignored. Young males seem to have those baseball caps riveted to their heads and they don't come off even when they sit down to the table. I sometimes wonder if they sleep in them too......

Answer 9

For a man, it is bad manners unless it is a religious thing. For women, hats are worn indoors and out. I don't know when baseball caps indoors became ok, but they do look really stupid, especially on grown-ups.

Answer 10

i don't know the history of it but i do think it's bad manners for anyone, man or woman, to wear a hat indoors. unfortunately, not many think this way anymore. my dad is 79. he had no problem with men removing their hats indoors but could never understand why women could wear these huge obnoxious things. especially in church and movie theaters. i have to agree with him. i wish parents would teach their kids this rule today. one of the worst things i see is guys in restaurants,wearing their baseball caps and chirping on their nextels. and they're 50-60 yrs old.

Answer 11

If a custom makes no logical sense, I don't abide by it. If I want to wear a hat, I will. If a business owner doesn't like it, I will take my business elsewhere that doesn't care. But I've never had anyone ever ask me to leave for wearing a hat. The custom is very dated and illogical.