The recent thread on smoking caps called to mind various points of etiquette, now lost to history as near as I can tell, about the wearing of hats by men. I think the military may still observe some of these, but I suspect they are more permissive than even in the 60's/70's. But just for civilians, men's hats weren't worn indoors in residences, restaurants, theaters, or much of anywhere unless it was a place for people in transit like a railroad station or airport. To go into a good restaurant or even a upscale bar and see men wearing hats at table still gives me a jolt, especially if the men are over a certain age. In the military of yore, you only saluted when "covered," and you were only covered outdoors. Both the man saluting and the recipient had to be covered to give and return a salute. I'm not sure when Presidents took to saluting back the Marine guard at their helicopter door, but the Prez is usually not covered (wearing a hat) so this can only evoke Commander-in-Chief privilege, since as a military man they would have to be covered to return a proper salute. All this is ancient history. Today men wear Stetson hats and ball caps at restaurants dining on white linen tablecloths, where the wait staff incongruously wear black tie and tuxes. Greek fishing caps, watch caps, and other headgear is not uncommon. Younger people just look clueless doing this, but older men look like louts, but this is just my perspective as someone who was born just after the American Revolution. Whatever your age, do you miss manners in the wearing of headgear by men, or are you glad not to bother with it? Or glad not to know about it at all?
. I ALWAYS remove it when entering the door of a building, especially someone's home. The exception to this is large chain stores (walmart, lowes, etc) mainly because I need my hands free to grab what I came for and get out quickly and can't afford to have one hand tied up holding my hat.
