What's the big deal with hats in restaurants?

Question

How can this possibly be conceived as being offensive?

Answer 1

I think the hat thing is outdated these days. I'm all for manners, but that is a bit archaic. If people wear sandals and shorts all the time, a hat doesn't seem any worse than that.

Answer 2

There's that great scene in the first season of the Sopranos where Tony goes up to a guy in his friend's restaurant who's wearing a hat and gives him a hard time. I can't help but think of that.

I think there's definitely something to this rule. The reason people take off their hats when they sing the national anthem is the same reason you would take it off at a funeral, or when you come into someone's house as a guest. It's just considered polite, like not wearing sunglasses or chewing gum (like Paris Hilton). It shows you respect the person you're talking to. In the same way, when you're in a chef's restaurant, you are their guest, and you should show respect to the establishment. I don't see how that's so strange.

Answer 3

It is offensive because it show a lack of respect. It is not a dress code to dress a certain way when going to lunch or dinner dressed a certain way and you Can wear a hat to a restaurant if you wish, but it is in poor taste and show a lack of respect for the owners of the establishment. Haven't your grand parents or even your parents ever told you when you enter some one Else's home or house to take off your hat or sunglasses, or even when you sat down at the table to remove your hat from your head if you were wearing one? This is just good manners and it show respect for your host and it lets people know that you come from a well educated up bringing. It is to bad that some people thing if that to show good manners they are conforming to some stupid rule of society, if you want to be different that is okay, but don't expect respect if you are not willing to give it in all aspects of your life.
I hope that is what you were looking for.
have a nice day and a happy holiday.
....cya....

Answer 4

It displays a lack of respect to the restaurant and the other folks in the room. Hats are usually a bit dirtly from having been worn on the head in the sun, wind, rain etc. They often shield a person's eyes, so you can't quite see who you're speaking to. And they lie in the line of vision of others.
Its just rude.

Answer 5

If you walked into a restaurant in France wearing a hat they would throw you out. (only males, for women to wear a hat it is considered chic not a baseball hat of course) It is an unforgivable sin here, almost as bad as calling the waiter Garcon.

Answer 6

The main purpose of a hat is to cover one's head from the weather, such as rain and snow and sunlight. Therefore, hats are not needed inside. Take them off! People need to be able to see around you. I also think that the people who are with you would like to see your face!

Answer 7

It looks pretensious , think about it do you need to protect your head from the elements in a restaurant ? Rather like driving a car with a hat on .

Answer 8

Since time began it has been in bad taste for men to wear hats indoors and even worse taste to wear them at the dining table. That is just basic etiquette. Take off your hat.

Answer 9

I have seen men and young men remove their hat on several occasions.....mostly at a restaurants, or a church.....I guess that is just the way the young man was raised.....I personally would prefer if guys would remove their hats.....

Answer 10

It was considered good manners to show respect by removing your hat in restaurants. It's rare nowadays to see someone actually do it.