An election is impending, and so we attended a Liberal event at the arena. The candidate gave a little talk and then fielded some questions. When I say "little talk" and "some questions," the session lasted for more than 1.5 hours. I got achy from sitting, but I was interested in what was said and was glad that I went.
I had worn my red cap that day because the Liberal colour is red. Up here the left is red and the right is blue — confusing, I know.
When I entered, I didn't quite know what to do about my cap. I took it off but noticed that others were wearing theirs.
I put it on.
I took it off.
I left it off.
I'm old, and it doesn't feel right to wear a cap in that sort of setting. There was no question that gentlemen's hats and caps were doffed at doorways back in the day. Now, there is a question, but I found that my brain decided that my chapeau had to be doffed, even though I was in a minority of one.
I was a bit surprised that I was the only one to be at ill-ease, and I still am surprised, because this wasn't a youthful meeting. The other cap guys were also of an age, and I would have thought would have been raised with social norms similar to mine. However, they were fine with keeping their caps on, and I don’t pass judgment.
It's a tricky thing. I would be comfortable wearing my cap in a pub or fast food joint but not in a proper restaurant or a in meeting like this.
That's regarding caps. I would be even more reluctant to wear my actual hat indoors under any circumstance or at least the winter one that looks properly dressy like an old-fashioned fedora. While my summer hats are of a similar style, they are khaki and do not seem so dressy, so I suppose that I might wear them inside in certain, informal venues. Really though, I seldom wear an actual hat, so I shouldn't muse about it too much.,
I cannot imagine wearing either a cap or hat in church in any circumstance, but I don't go to church any more, and now I wonder if some guys do wear them there.
Surely not‽
Mmmm. Hats on, hats off. Mine stay on with bad hair days!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the UK, red is left, right is blue! It took ages to get used to the switch in the US. As a female, I don't have the hat on or off issue, except in church hat on used to be the custom
ReplyDeleteIn your Easter bonnet! I agree, and have kind of gotten used to the men who keep their hats on, though why is entirely up to them. But waaay back when, I did feel shocked that they didn't remove them inside buildings. And my biggest goal on my visit to my son's Colorado home was to attain a summer hat to keep the sun from my poor old splotchy face! I was successful and wore it all the rest of my trip (except in the plane, where it rested flat in my suitcase!)
ReplyDeleteI rarely see anybody, make or female, wearing anything other than a ball cap indoors. It has become so ubiquitous that I hardly notice, on or off.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteWe voted Saturday.
I don't wear a hat very often, but I agree it feels wrong to wear them indoors. I also sympathize with being achy after sitting for too long!
ReplyDeleteSome do (wear hats in church). Usually baseball hats.
ReplyDeleteShould I say, "Oh my God!" to that?
DeleteSomehow a baseball hats feels so casual that you could leave it on. A fedora - no.
ReplyDeleteI don't like any hats on indoors, even on myself. Certain ones block the view of other people. However, I can't judge because I'm not a hat/cap person (look terrible in them) and wear them rarely.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine going into a church, any church, without a head covering. And dressed politely (no skin hanging out, eh?). But my son-in-law, aged 65+, a very polite and gentle man, wears a ball cap for a celebratory meal in a nice restaurant. As do most of the other diners, in my observation.
ReplyDeleteGlad it was interesting. I am getting bombarded with urgent messages to vote for her. Not that the choice is a hard one.
I feel lost at most political meetings because I question too much of what I’m being told which isn’t desirable by those talking. So I mostly sit and listen to what others accept without questioning. Plus of late, political talks have become fashionably disruptive and largely unproductive.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughtful instinct to remove your cap reflects a lasting respect for traditional etiquette, even as social norms around hats have grown increasingly blurred and varied.
ReplyDeleteI would be willing to bet that some caps are worn in church. What did the candidate say and were you impressed. Is that the next post?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Are hats worn in church now?
ReplyDeleteWe voted here on Friday at 10 a.m. There was a line-up inside the building. Great turn-out across the country apparently.
I have noticed in Pentecostal churches the women often wear hats 👒 but that I am aware of very few do anymore.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you went and you were an active citizen period we need thoughtful people like yourself to participate. Especially now. Interesting observations about the Caps yes as we get older society changes and it does seem strange to us as we did to the generation before us! Aloha
ReplyDeleteI like to see men wearing head gear, but not indoors.
ReplyDeleteTractor caps are ubiquitous here. I no longer notice them. And don't go to church or to restaurants so can't weigh in on that question
ReplyDeleteI rarely wear a baseball cap. I have to wear a winter toque.
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