Should a man take off his hat in public restaurants or other indoor places? I was amazed at how angry my father-in-law became when my son wore his baseball cap inside a restaurant.
Another time, I had a professor throw a kid permanently out of class after she told him six different times to take his hat off.
I asked both of them why? They told me that it is a sign of respect. In the military, your rank is determined by your hat. So if an officer goes into a bar, or restaurant all the people of lesser would have to salute him, or her, so he removes his hat.
That is wear the tradition comes from.
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Comments: 25
For a Jew is a sin a total disrespect to enter a building with the head uncovered. The same goes for Muslims, not to mention the Seeks...
For Christians is a sin and a sign of disrespect to enter a church building, or a house in general with the head covered.
In the former Soviet Bloc, soldiers had to take their hats off in door, where they had to salute verbally only.
European good manners required men to uncover their heads as soon as they entered a building.
Actually in America is a matter of cultural sensibility depending on where you are and in what company...
Bottom line, you may be in trouble for doing it as easy as you may get in trouble for not doing it...
I am not certain of the origin of the custom, but I know it has been around for a long time.
And it is a matter of respect.
I cannot say where my impression was conceived, but it always seemed to me, to be a declaration: I was not trying to hide, and had no fear in being recognized.
I see it in the same light, as standing, removing a hat, and placing your hand over your heart (or folded) during the National Anthem. (as well as shutting up!)
Standing (if seated), or stopping (if in your car) and removing your hat, when a funeral procession goes by.
Being silently respectful as someone else shows their own respect in any form of prayer or tribute.
It is not in any way a religious orientation.
It is a demonstrative display of self-respect, portrayed in a symbolic gesture to others.
I feel for you, but also think it's a matter of respect, & really don't like the idea that these kinds of things need to be explained. Some things are becoming a matter of personal choice, rather than that they "just are." Whether it makes logical sense or not, it really bothers me that we're allowing those things to erode within our society.