Last week my wife and I were out in Grand Island, Nebraska to see the Sandhill Crane migration (very impressive to see thousands of the cranes coming in at dusk to the North Platte River) and we had dinner for the two nights we were there at a local restaurant. Just a decent burger type place, nothing fancy but not fast food. The first night there were about 25 men in the restaurant, with all but two wearing baseball caps as they ate. One was myself, with no hat, and one had a cowboy hat on. The second night there was actually one other man without a hat. What made me think of this thread was when my wife and I went out last night to eat, again as a mostly burger type place, here in Rockford, IL, probably less than 10% of men present had hats on. It just seemed to be quite a different culture even though both locations are what most folks would consider the Mid West. Just an interesting observation.
Culture variation in the Midwest
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
ediogenes
Bearcat
I always wear a hat or cap, usually cowboy or fedora and occasionally a baseball style, especially when my Rangers are playing or I just wanna celebrate their World Series win.
The problem is that there are few public places that provide a hat rack or wall hooks to hang customers’ hats. There’s no safe place to put it except on your head. In the words of Lyle Lovett, “…you can't set your hat down just anywhere.”
The problem is that there are few public places that provide a hat rack or wall hooks to hang customers’ hats. There’s no safe place to put it except on your head. In the words of Lyle Lovett, “…you can't set your hat down just anywhere.”
I wear a western style hat everywhere. No matter where I am inside I remove it and find somewhere to place it. I was brought up that you don't wear a hat at the table ... Period!
I was brought up that when you enter a restaurant or certain other places (like a movie theater), if you are wearing a hat of any type, you remove it. I even remove mine if I'm eating in at a fast food place. But, different areas of the US, different "customs".
The sandhill crane migration is a wonderful thing to see. I lived in Grand Island for a couple of years, and always love to go back at this time of year. As far as the hats, it seems to be a function of how big the town is. Smaller towns, less formal, more guys working blue collar jobs, bigger city more 'hatless' folk. At least it seems that way to me....
OP
That does sound right.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
I have some hats that cost several 100 dollars.
You would have to be on drugs if you think I am going to hang them on a rack by the door .
You would have to be on drugs if you think I am going to hang them on a rack by the door .
OP
Why not leave the hat in your car? Or ask the Maitre d to take care of it while you eat?
contender
Ruger Guru
Sandhill cranes are interesting to watch for sure.
As for the hat thing,, I'm too was raised to not wear a hat at the dinner table. I can & will find a place to put my hat,, no matter if it's one of my ball caps,, or my cowboy hats.
Many years ago,, after a BSA SCUBA class,, and 4 of my students/boys went to lunch,, as always,, we all removed out hats. (I had told them that would be the way it was if eating with me.)
A bit later on,, an older gentleman came over as he was leaving,, complimenting me on raising some good boys that knew how to remove a hat at the table. I chuckled & said; "Well, they aren't exactly my boys,, they are part of my BSA Troop. But I do teach that to them as well." He told the boys to listen to me,, as if I was teaching them manners & such,, it would help them a lot in the world.
It made an impression on the boys.
As for the hat thing,, I'm too was raised to not wear a hat at the dinner table. I can & will find a place to put my hat,, no matter if it's one of my ball caps,, or my cowboy hats.
Many years ago,, after a BSA SCUBA class,, and 4 of my students/boys went to lunch,, as always,, we all removed out hats. (I had told them that would be the way it was if eating with me.)
A bit later on,, an older gentleman came over as he was leaving,, complimenting me on raising some good boys that knew how to remove a hat at the table. I chuckled & said; "Well, they aren't exactly my boys,, they are part of my BSA Troop. But I do teach that to them as well." He told the boys to listen to me,, as if I was teaching them manners & such,, it would help them a lot in the world.
It made an impression on the boys.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
Maitre d ?
No so such thing where I eat , and I'm not leaving it in the car.
If I went to a fancy restaurant I might mind my matters a little more.
No so such thing where I eat , and I'm not leaving it in the car.
If I went to a fancy restaurant I might mind my matters a little more.
I was brought up well with good manners. Don't think I'd ever wear hat or cap in a formal church function or funeral home.
Otherwise, it has a lot to do with location & the venue. A mom & pop in my area, ya might be pressed to see a customer without a cap. OTOH, in a fancy restaurant, ya might be asked to remove your hat if you haven't read the room & adjusted on your own.
Not just geography, but venue as well.
Otherwise, it has a lot to do with location & the venue. A mom & pop in my area, ya might be pressed to see a customer without a cap. OTOH, in a fancy restaurant, ya might be asked to remove your hat if you haven't read the room & adjusted on your own.
Not just geography, but venue as well.
bobski
Hunter
my military training taught us to respect the home or keeper of the building by removing your cover when entering. i still do it.
its an american thing that a privileged few are taught.
its an american thing that a privileged few are taught.
We used to have a lot of Sandys and Geese winter around us, Sandys will all fly at once and glide at the same time while in formation I loved watching them fly. Now that Houston has grown around us and Katy I have not seen any geese or Sandys. At one time Katy and Eagle Lake were the best Goose Hunting in Texas. Fields at times were white with Snow Geese along with Canadas in their own area. Son and I would hunt ducks and geese in the pasture next door that had a pond. Fun times when our area was country.
As far as hats depends on the place. If I'm in a joint with hat wearing locals I leave mine on. In a hoity-toity place with table cloths I take it off.
As far as hats depends on the place. If I'm in a joint with hat wearing locals I leave mine on. In a hoity-toity place with table cloths I take it off.
Bob Wright
Hawkeye
So was I, but the lack of hat racks or hooks leaves the option of placing your hat on an empty chair. And I've got visions of a clumsy waiter/waitress or customer dumping a tray of food on my $300 Resistol. So, if I'm not given a place for my hat, I'll keep it on. Goes against my grain, but beats having a hat full of spaghetti sauce!
Bob Wright
I'm old. I was raised that you can wear any hat you want outside. When you come inside the hat comes off. The only exception to that was when I was in the service. There if you were "under arms" you wore your cover indoors.
Count me as another that removes his headgear indoors.
City mouse vs country mouse.
I seldom see farmer types remove their CAP (a hat has a brim) in a 'burger joint' type eatery. This is not seen as some sort of barbarian social failure.
I seldom see farmer types remove their CAP (a hat has a brim) in a 'burger joint' type eatery. This is not seen as some sort of barbarian social failure.
contender
Ruger Guru
"So was I, but the lack of hat racks or hooks leaves the option of placing your hat on an empty chair. And I've got visions of a clumsy waiter/waitress or customer dumping a tray of food on my $300 Resistol. So, if I'm not given a place for my hat, I'll keep it on. Goes against my grain, but beats having a hat full of spaghetti sauce!"
Bob,, I fully understand. When I have to place my hat in a chair,,, I push the chair under the table to avoid such incidents. I also mute my phone & place it under the hat.
But I do wish restaurants had hat racks. I rarely see them anymore.
In my Dad's restaurant,, we had a coat/hat rack at each booth. Easy-peasy!
Bob,, I fully understand. When I have to place my hat in a chair,,, I push the chair under the table to avoid such incidents. I also mute my phone & place it under the hat.
But I do wish restaurants had hat racks. I rarely see them anymore.
In my Dad's restaurant,, we had a coat/hat rack at each booth. Easy-peasy!
Sometimes I wear a cap. Sometimes I don't... Indoors or outdoors. This is exclusively based on my decision.
If it doesn't violate established law, my appearance and behavior doesn't have to meet with the personal approval of others.
Contrary to ignorant opinions, we do not inhabit a "democracy" where the collective consensus supersedes the rights of individuals.
America is the land where everyone has the right to be the unique and distinct individual that the Good Lord made them.
If others don't like me, don't look at me. Problem solved.
If it doesn't violate established law, my appearance and behavior doesn't have to meet with the personal approval of others.
Contrary to ignorant opinions, we do not inhabit a "democracy" where the collective consensus supersedes the rights of individuals.
America is the land where everyone has the right to be the unique and distinct individual that the Good Lord made them.
If others don't like me, don't look at me. Problem solved.
I started wearing a hat pretty regularly, probably 5 years or so ago... I till take it off if I go into a restaurant or especially my church or someone's house but not in what I consider a public building like a store. I have to admit that when I'm sitting at home or somewhere private and anther person comes in the room, especially a woman, there is still a deep buried instinct to stand up. Sometimes I still do if it is a woman older than me. As for the not taking your hat off inside if you are armed... maybe that is why in a lot of older movies they guys still have their hats on... like Humphrey in the movie the Maltese Falcon?
KIR
Sparks, NV
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2022
- Messages
- 2,771
During the cold winters, when I turn the heat down in my castle, I wear a baseball cap which helps me keep warm. Outdoors, all the time.
Many years ago, while out a Pyramid Lake, the Needles at the north end, before the Indians closed it off, a "brief", "pod", "pouch", "scoop", or "squadron" of Pelicans were scared off by a couple of jets making a flyby of the lake. They all took off and headed towards their island which is a preservation near the pyramid of the lake. Awesome sight.
Many years ago, while out a Pyramid Lake, the Needles at the north end, before the Indians closed it off, a "brief", "pod", "pouch", "scoop", or "squadron" of Pelicans were scared off by a couple of jets making a flyby of the lake. They all took off and headed towards their island which is a preservation near the pyramid of the lake. Awesome sight.
I wear a baseball cap because my doctor says I could get some nasty cancers on my baldy bean. I don't think I ever paid more than $5 for any cap/hat; so....(although now, I hear, one can spend over $20 on a cap); I can simply squash my cap, and put it in my pocket. Was 'trained' to always remove your hat indoors and always stand up when a lady enters OR when being introduced to any gender. Who knew...??? Personally, I think that it's important to feel comfortable with yourself (local customs do dictate behaviors) while being considerate and courteous to others (local customs dictate this too). There, all settled 
Edit: I do wear it in my house (when no company present) because I'm always !@#$%g cold.... thanks to my lovely wife.
Edit: I do wear it in my house (when no company present) because I'm always !@#$%g cold.... thanks to my lovely wife.
I am one that always wears a hat, mostly ball cap type. Seems most rural raised people around here do the same. So many urbanites have moved in around me that don't wear hats I wonder if sometimes they don't feel a little self conscious ...even tho they are the majority now.
Bob Wright
Hawkeye
blume357 said:
"....somewhere private and anther person comes in the room, especially a woman, there is still a deep buried instinct to stand up. Sometimes I still do if it is a woman older than me."
I can't remembe the last time a woman older than I entered the room..............
Bob Wright
"....somewhere private and anther person comes in the room, especially a woman, there is still a deep buried instinct to stand up. Sometimes I still do if it is a woman older than me."
I can't remembe the last time a woman older than I entered the room..............
Bob Wright
I'm more likely to leave my hat in the restaurant. Done it several times. Now I leave it in the car unless it's very sunny out.
Bob Wright
Hawkeye
Well, as far as my "ignorant opinion" goes, it was instilled in me by my parents. My mother made sure I didn't embarrass her when we went out. She implanted in me the notion that what I wore signaled the respect I had for that place or person. And my Dad implanted the idea that a man should dress as a man. These are old fashioned principles today, but I still cling to them. Wednesday I'm attending my sister's birthday party. I'll dress accrdingly. And next Sunday is Easter Sunday, and again, I'll dress accordingly.
Bob Wright
AMEN BROTHER!!
Eclem
Bearcat
I hear ya! I live in rural NE Connecticut and am 78 years old - for about 5 years I've worn a hat all day in the cool weather ... the heat loss from my old balding head is nicely checked by a baseball cap. And I used to wear turtle neck cotton jerseys in the winter but they started feeling uncomfortable so I started tying a bandanna (silk or cotton) around my neck - very comfortable and warming. I believe we used to call them "neckerchiefs." I'm too old to give a damn about my looks! Comfort is king.
