Guess I am old-fashioned but I was taught to always take off my hat when indoors, regardless of the building. The best example of this was Bum Phillips, the Houston Oiler's head coach. Even though he wore hats he never had one on during a game when it was played indoors. Seems like a nice and respectful tradition to keep honoring.
I agree 100%. It's not that you're old fashioned it's that these young people try to change the rules just like they do with everything in their lives.
Being from Texas , I was taught to take it off when I meet a lady or someone respectable, I was taught to never wear my hat indoors period, and yea, touching someone else hat (or worse knock it off their head) is something you just don’t do, unless you’re ready to get your ass handed to ya!
There isn't much hesitation after a move like that if it's a stranger. It's basically the equivalent of grabbing his ass and saying aye bitch what's shaking! Only the man's woman can realistically do it regularly and get away with it.
Just attended the Saddle Horse Auction at the Irma in Cody Wyoming yesterday. Nobody removed their hat in the bar or restaurant. I always remove mine when I sit down, not when I come through the door.
@@danamcreynolds9456 It sounds like an ass kickin' is in order. NOBODY touches my hat, except my wife, unless I hand it to them. My hat and my boots are connected as touching my hat will cause my boot to touch your ass.
My understanding has always been that leaving your hat on in the common areas of business and gummint buildings (lobbies, e.g) is acceptable; but the hat comes off upon entering a private area, such as someone's office. The hat comes off immediately upon entering a home. Hats off when eating at table, but may be left on at a bar or lunch counter. If a lady takes your hat off your head and places it on hers, she is propositioning you. Do not handle someone else's hat if your hands are not clean! I once had the Devil's own time getting out an oily fingerprint when someone manhandled my chapeau.
100% right. Also, when you meet a woman for the first time at the house fence you push your hat up a little to show your face and show you are not a threat. Once invited into the yard the hat stays on until the front door then it is taken off for going inside.
Came here to find this comment because some people are too strict about buildings and such. Churches, homes, and private areas of businesses are where respect is to be shown and a hat removed, cowboy or otherwise. Common areas of stores, a bar, a dealership showroom, bank lobby, etc my lid is staying on. But as soon as it's a private office, a table, etc it comes off
Only instance I would EVER touch another man’s hat would be to pick it up off the ground for him if he couldn’t immediately do it for himself. We were raised to respect a man’s hat/personal property in my family. But all the men (real men) in my family wore cowboy hats as well so…stands to reason.
My Grandpa, born in 1897 was the Real Deal. He, his Dad and his Grandpa owned and operated one of if not the largest cattle operation in the state and sold beef to the US Army during WW1. All three were 6 shot revolver carrying cowboys. He taught me to NEVER wear your hat through the door of any building, especially a church. He didn't wear his hat driving his truck in his later years either. If someone wore their hat inside you could count on him asking them if their head was cold.
Sorry to inform you but I've been working the big outfits all horseback work since 1973 and cowboys pretty much all of them wear their hats indoors all the time depending on what type of building you are in. You won't see cowboys drinking in a bar with their hats off and neither a lot of the time in a restaurant. You'll see more cowboys taking their hats off in buckaroo country than cowboy country. Same with your spurs. Buckaroos will take them off when they get off their horse for the day. Other parts of the country you'll wear them into town. I've worked both traditions.
When I bought my first hat at a good local Western store, the older lady who had been the owner for years told me when handing a hat to me to handle it like a record. I was looking at Resistol hats and the color was called Crystal which was a beautiful light gray which could pick up a fingerprint in a heartbeat. After we found my size and brand she stated out loud "Resistol 7 5/8" as though from this day forward this was my hat brand and size! Then I paid for the hat and she says "never store your hat flat on a table with the brim down because you'll deform the shape of the brim". I had a buddy who tended bar at a pub I used to drink beer at, and he told me never, EVER let anyone try on your hat. He said this after I allowed a lady to try mine on, and then she proceeded to hand it to the next person who wanted to try it. It passed down the bar to 4 people by the time it got back to me.
My friend told me that if a woman wears your hat: "if you wear the hat, you wear the cowboy." Now that doesn't have to mean sexually, but if a woman is sitting next to a man and she's wearing his hat, they ought to be dating or married.
@@Joel_Mullins06 - it's like wearing your letter jacket or class ring - but not quite as committed as wearing a fraternity pin or driving your vehicle.
@@Joel_Mullins06 Last thing I would do is allow someone to remove my hat. ANYWHERE!!! But especially, in a goddamn bar! Not that someone hasn’t tried but they wound up regretting it! IMMEDIATELY! I made goddamn sure of it! You don’t mess with another man’s hat! Regardless of what kind of hat it might be! Not EVER! Not unless you’re willing to deal with the negative consequences you’re earning for yourself in TRYING to! 🤬
Up here in Wyoming, it is said that if you wear a straw before Memorial Day, you'll make it snow. Also, ALWAYS take off your lid before you pass into a building.
@@cwstewartjr1973 Do you know me? Nope. 1) I don't go to bars. 2) I don't wear my hat indoors, regardless of what kind of building. 3) Maybe keep your unfounded judgements to yourself unless you know me. 4) Just because you see a western hat inside a building, it doesn't mean there is a real cowboy under it. There are a lot of wanna-bes out there.
I've had the same hat, made for my head, by hand, for over 40 years. It's endured below 0° and over 100°, my horse has been fed and watered out of it, it stayed on my head even when the boat turned over and we made it back to shore together! Rules? I tip it meeting a lady, I hang it up when I get home and I never go out without it, even to a wedding. It comes off during the anthem, at grave sights and during a wedding I'm not performing.
You may wear your hat in a bar at the bar or lunch counter, but if you are sitting down at a table to eat a meal it should be removed (because any situation where you might say grace or give thanks is valid, unless you are in uniform). if you are running errands; feed store, bank, mercantile, keep it on. if you are drawn into a conversation with someone who deserves respect, then you remove it. It's sort of a situation by situation judgement of acknowledging respect.
To this day, unless I'm eating outside, I cannot sit at the table with a hat on. Just can't do it. But outside or inside, hats come off for grace. Only exception is war.
@@christophergraham3160 I can do it, but i'm far more comfortable taking it off if I have some place to set it. On the other hand, it seems rare to see anyone take their baseball cap off while they eat.
My feelings as well. It really just depends on the situation. I’m not above removing my hat but it is only in certain situations and usually only done as a sign of respect that has already been earned from me.
Back 60+ years ago everyone wore hats causing the rules in this video. But hats fell out of favor and most became cheap and inferior. I am happy when people wear a nice hat nowadays and don't care if they comply with etiquette rules.
@@tomtroy3792 I guess I'm not everyone. But I don't think of myself as a dweeb. To me a "dweeb" is the piss ant who wears his ball cap backwards because he fancies himself "cool". Of course then you have the super-dweeb who mistakenly wears his cowboy hat backwards...
@@tomtroy3792 "Dweebs don’t wear their hats backwards." Yes, rendering the bill of the hat obsolete and requiring one to use his HAND to block the sun from harming one's eyes is SO much more intelligent.
@@TheWartHawg your comment tells me you're a dweeb sometimes I like the sun on my forehead and sometimes I like to block the Sun out of my eyes you're so worried about how you look to others you should just live your life the way you want
Hat etiquette does NOT require removal indoors, it depends: Indoor hats: Public spaces worn, intimate spaces off. In a bank; in lobby on, in the bankers office off. Hotels, lobby on, interior "intimate spaces" such as elevators, off. On when in motion; cars, trains, walking. Off when stationary; dining, cocktails in private, seated in private spaces. Church: entry, lobby, vestibule on is fine, in the sanctuary off. During prayer of national anthems, off, held over heart. The " always take your hat off indoors" is for the lazy and uncouth that can't be bothered. A polite young man lifts his hat to an older man, however, and an abbreviated hat-tip (more like a loose salute) is always a friendly gesture from one man to another.
That’s how I remember it, too: Public spaces, my hat stays on; private spaces, the hat comes off. Like your example of the bank, the lobby is a public space so I leave it on. When I step into a private office, or even an individual desk in a lobby, it comes off. In a restaurant, it stays on until I get to my table, then it comes off when I sit down. Inside someone’s home, it comes off, but sitting on their front porch it probably stays on. An exception to this is a bar. If I’m sitting at the bar itself, or maybe even at a table, I typically leave it on, though if I am in a booth I usually take it off. I live in Texas, and Texans seem to think it’s fine to leave their hats on pretty much anywhere except church. I can’t believe the number of times I’ve seen grown men, even men who are old enough to know better, and especially men who are proudly sporting their “[Conflict/Branch of Service] Veteran” caps sitting in a restaurant with their hats on their heads. 🤦♂️
Best comment in this whole comments section. And best reply. The sad truth is that a lot of places, people don't wear hats or if they do, they don't know what they're doing.
With respect to churches, this may be somewhat of a Catholic versus Protestant thing. In a Catholic church, it is certainly seen as disrespectful for a man to wear a hat in any part of the church (with the exception of certain hats that have a function during Mass), but it would be more disrespectful to wear it in the church proper (what you are calling the sanctuary, but in Catholic churches, the sanctuary refers to the raised part where the altar is). This may be different for certain Protestant churches, but I would err on the side of caution and not wear a hat in church, period (though, obviously, it is perfectly acceptable for a woman to wear a hat in church, though casual hats like baseball caps would be frowned upon).
Ok...I can appreciate true old west and cowboy etiquette for the real cowboys out there. But I do have to interject that if every Urban Cowboy didn't wear his hat indoors at the Dance Hall and/or other Western-ish establishments...then there never would have been a Gilley's or the electric Bull riding machine would have never been invented. So glad to see Bum Phillips name came up with his standard of not wearing his hat indoors (in the comments)...especially in the "Dome. But then he was deff not an Urban Cowboy. For those who are still down on 'ol Urbans...even after this many years. You should hang on to your Grandma's learnings: "Imitation is a high form of flattery." Loved watching this vid. Thanks for helping get the cowboy hat etiquette out to everyone.
Can definelty wear a hat indoors at a bar. I was in the Marines and hats were never allowed on inside a bar. However, the one exception was those who wore cowboy hats. Why, well, in my time, we ironed our Wraglers (crease down the center) and shirts and wore a belt ( as is required). Being we didn't have our hats on backwards and pants sagging, they let us in. However, they would stop others who were dressed the aforementioned way until they fixed themselves.
When I was runnin the rodeo dances or the dance clubs chasing girls I always used put a fan of tooth picks in the the front left side of my hat band. Just kind of got to be a trademark
Having been in the Navy back during the Vietnam War, (yes, I'm THAT old) I was taught to ALWAYS remove my "cover" as soon as I pass through the door coming inside, unless one was wearing it to denote that one was on duty, such as guard duty, a habit to which I still adhere. When I was young that was also how one behaved in polite society, and wearing a hat indoors marked a person as an ill bred, manner-less rube. In restaurants, bars, and saloons there were usually either a coat check if it was a fancier place, where one would check their hat and outer coat, or at least hat racks and places to hang an outer coat in less fancy places. Often one saw a pole with hat and coat hooks attached to each pair of seats along the booths in diners and bars.
USAF during the Gulf War and it makes me crazy to see men walking around with their has on inside. ESPECIALLY veterans. I even saw a man who was seated with the faculty at a graduation recently who didn't remove his cap for the Anthem or the invocation. The speaker asked veterans to rise and he did. I get that the cap was part of the graduation regalia, part of the costume and therefore acceptable to wear inside, but I wanted to slap it off of his head for not removing it during the anthem.
I was always taught to take my hat off inside, I went to a cowboys funeral in Walla Walla and was told before I went in to leave my hat on out of respect for the cowboy, at first it felt weird but I looked around and every cowboy did have their hats on. It was a custom for respect and definitely a when in Rome do as the Romans do.
General rules for all hats: never wear them indoors. Most certainly never sit at the dinner table covering your head. When outside, if you have to show respect, like a funeral, or when greeting an elder, or anyone of a higher social standing, always remove your hat.
There is no "never" It depends on the indoors. You sound like a townie not a cowboy. And it depends on the "dinner table" or whose it is, where you are, if its at a restaurant it depends on who you're with and whether a coat & hat rack is provided.
Higher social standing. That's some of the dumbest shit I've ever read in my life. You must be one of those people who thinks their last name can get you out of trouble
The reason the for no hats on beds evolved because in the old days cowboys had lice in their hair when they came back from herding or a long extended ride. So, putting your hat on the bed while you were gettin cleaned up amounted to infestation of the clean bed. I put my hat on the bed all the time and I’m very fortunate.
Thought I'd come back for another vid. Thank You for saying you place a hat upside down on the crown. Anyone who has stood at a tea kettle steaming just the right crease appreciates it when they're hat is placed on a table, etc, CORRECTLY. Had a girlfriend many decades ago who kept placing my felt incorrectly on a table, ground, etc. I kept telling her not to. She said she thought I like that hat more than I liked her. Haven't seen her since... And, yes, grabbing someone's hat--unless you're five years old and we're related--is like grabbing someone's bee-hind. Just is.
My grandfather was a ship captain, he always wore a hat and placed it on the table upside down. When I got into wearing hats, my mom always corrected me everytime I placed it the wrong way on the table
To addend hat wearing or removal during the national anthem. Veterans and active service members may keep hat on and render hand salute while the national anthem is playing.
Oh I thought this only applied to saluting if you are in uniform with your cover on... I didn't think that it applied when you were wearing your civilian clothes and a civilian cover. Thank you for sharing your information!!!
When it comes to Texas weather I do not abide by the labor/memorial day thing. I wear what I want according to the weather. I live in southeast Texas and it might be 90 degrees in December and might be 30 degrees in April or September. I have seen snow in Texas on Easter weekend.
I'll wear western boots without a hat but I won't wear a cowboy hat unless I'm wearing boots. Nothing looks more incongruous than a guy wearing a cowboy hat and gym shoes.
If you're not riding a saddled horse there's no real need to wear cowboy boots. Unless it's for formal wear. I grew up cowboying, was semi-pro rodeo cowboy in Texas, now I'm almost 50 and wear my Army infantry combat boots daily with my western hat. If I'm going to ride a saddled horse I want my tony lama boots to fit in the stirrups. Tapered toe and high heel on boots is saddled horse riding specific footwear.
@@SoldierDrew I don't know Andrew, I wear my ropers almost 24/7, need to replace them as this is the last resoling for the pair. 23 years in the Army and the last thing I'm wearing are the damn combat boots.
Restaurants are tricky. They no longer provide hooks or a rack to hang your hat on. That should come back. In Texas, casual diners often keep their hats on, day or night.
Got nowhere to place leave em on. Inproper to not take off. Exception is when eating with others. Always then. Rules are odd in regards to eating. Always has been.
I have the same dilemma with restaurants. No hat racks or hooks. You think I'm going to ask a restaurant employee to keep my hat safe? They don't know how to handle a hat and I don't know where their hands have been!
Here, in Australia, fur felt hats are worn everyday, regardless of season (which is probably why they degrade faster from dirt and sweat in the hottest months)
In 34 years of daily wear never owned or wore a straw hat. Old timers find it impolite to show the inside of a hat, I shape mine to be fine set on the edge of a surface crown up. As long as the front of the brim can hang off, think fedora shaped brim.
Love all the “my granddad did this” and “my great uncle said this” comments. Those gentlemen grew up in a different time where people didn’t mess with other people’s belongings. My granddad never locked his door but there weren’t a ton of tweakers running around the valley stealing everything they could get their damn hands on back then. I lock my doors and I keep my hat on my head (with exceptions) because those days my granddad lived in are long gone, unfortunately
Ah yes. The "society has degraded into a gaggle of degenerates so what grandad did out of respect and respectability doesn't matter anymore" argument. Your grandad wore the hat to keep the sun out of his eyes and off of his head. You know...the very reason for wearing a hat. Taking it off indoors was not only common courtesy but showed he had the common sense enough to acknowledge that he didn't need it. You're wearing a costume and playing a role. THAT is the difference between then and now.
@@TheWartHawgthank you for your comment. I grew up in a cowboy hat area. I use bucket hats only for the purpose of protecting my head and neck from the sun while working. Everyone judges me but I use hats for their intended purpose. I don’t wear hats at all unless I’m working long hours in the sun. No reason to go bald just to wear hats all the time.
Very informative. Glad you mentioned the importance of avoiding handling the crown. Perhaps in the future, a segment of putting on and removing the hat - a lot of those new to real hats squeeze the front of the crown that eventually deforms it. Good content.
Nice video, very well done. One thing I do is that I put my hats back in their boxes. That's one way to be assured that they're safe and stored correctly. If you are like me and wear only Stetsons, you'll want to protect your investment and in my case you'll keep them safe for the person you'll be bequeathing it to after you've crossed over. Blessings to you all.
Thank you much for this video. I am new to western wear, I don't even live in the south but I really love the style. Now I know proper hat etiquette, thanks!
I was taught not to take my hat off unless eating at a table or hanging it up because the day is over. As far as church it comes off and sits on my left knee. When standing for prayer in my left hand then back to the knee . Also never put your hat upside down or on the bed.
Nice job on the video. Thanks for the thoughts and input. I appreciate that you mention what you believe is tradition and then your experience. Culture does change so it’s good to stay in step with the times.
Military teaches that "Cover" or hat that Amy significant threshold of any building to remove it, unless there is a ceremonial reason to such as promotions or change of command and other ceremonies. I do not know the original meaning of that. However, basic hat etiquette I had researched was based on public and private spaces is when hats are removed and replaced. As a guest in another house typically it was custom to remove boots, hats, and excessive clothes at the mud room or atrium/entry room. An indoor stadium or a shop or store as such was ok to wear a hat in there.
I worked in an old courthouse several years ago and the bailiffs made men take their hats or ball caps off before the judges came in. There was actually wire brackets under the seats for men to place their hats. when all men wore hats . I was never allowed to wear a hat or ball cap inside. Where has that etiquette gone?
That etiquette has not gone away. I spent almost 50 years in a courtroom as a lawyer or as a judge pro tem and the bailiff in every single one of those courtrooms would ask men - forcefully if necessary - to remove their hats or caps.
When I lived in Texas, I noticed men wore their hats when eating in restaurants. I lucked out. Just got a new straw hat, added a band, and added a feather on what I now know is the correct (left) side. I have another hat I wear while hiking. It has two fine feathers I found in the wild. I put one on each side. Thanks for all the other tips. I came here to find the best way to handle a hat without spoiling the brim. The woven palm one I just replaced had a hole worn by my fingers when doffing the hat.
Maybe its just an Australian thing but if you hold someone elses hat you hold it by the crown upside down. Like cuping it in your hand. Otherwise you get thier head sweat on your hands. It would be disrespectful to want somone to put thier hand into your hat. Hat off in doors anywhere too.
Hat etiquette regarding when to take it on or off has less to do with indoors and outdoors than it does with public or private. If you enter a space where you need to be invited, you should remove the hat. If you don’t need an invitation to enter that space it can remain on. Bars are considered public, in fact the origin of the word “Pub” is Public House. When you are seated at a restaurant you are invited by the host or hostess and traditionally you would remove the hat. Trains, airports and automobiles are all public and the hat can remain on. If the establishment or home does not have a proper place to hang the hat, as is often the case today, you may wear the hat.
I was born and raised in Southern California, but I wear a cowboy hat most of the time, and boots all the time. I always remove my yat when I first meet or am introduced to a lady, and during the raising and lowering of the flag. Also if I'm eating outside (at a picnic table or something) I'll leave my hat on.
I agree with most etiquette; how ever the feather have a meaning on the different sides. Many native and cultural considerations are feathers on left as single and right for marred.
If you wear a cowboy hat in NY you magically turn everyone around you into the most hysterically funny comedian of all time. My all time favorite comments include: 1."Nice hat where's the rodeo huh huh huh" 2. " Whadya from Texas? huh huh huh" 3. "HEY I LIKE YOUR HAT! huh huh huh"
I have a shelf in a cedar lined closet, with a wool blanket covering the shelf. I keep my hats there sitting on the crown. I normally take my hat off when going indoors anywhere, unless I will be needing both hands and there is nowhere to set my hat on it's crown. For instance, doing business in a bank, or most stores, clothing, grocery, etc.
My wife & I are not westerns, but being on vacation & going out for dinner, I wore my felt Stetson. This was in a tiny little joint in "no where" Texas. As we were being seated, we were next to an older couple and the gentleman was also wearing a hat. As we began to take our seats, I tipped my hat to the lady simply saying 'ma'am and then addressed the older fellow with a simple 'evening sir'. Being a Yankee I was trying to be polite & "fit in" How do you think I did?
You're lucky you weren't shot! Flirting with his wife and then rubbing it in his nose! My advice-- Just look another man in his eyes and nod your head. Don't say anything to, or even look at his woman!
If it comes from a place of respect, it's hard to go wrong. Thanks for trying to immerse yourself in our culture when you're in the area, sure appreciate that
I'm a little old school, a little new school. I was taught by my grandmother and my parents that all covers get removed when going into any building that isn't a shed or a barn. Being a northerner living in Florida, I only wear straw covers due to the near-constant heat. Plus, the law enforcement agency where I work only issues baseball caps and straw covers. Felt isn't authorized.
I'm from texas,and I always wear a felt hat and I wear overalls. I don't care what hat or how you wear a hat or how take your hat off or where and how you hang it.plus what you wear ,doesn't make you a cowboy,what makes you a cowboy,is your work ethic and heart and most of all your manners.
i was in sydney with my Aussie GF waiting for the train. She took my hat off my head with one swift motion. I got so pissed, because I was raise in the states and you know not to touch a hat off a mans head. Even if you're a woman, its disrespecful. I didn't think she realize how pissed I would get. I was wearing a Boston Red Sox Red my hometown.
Four minuets into this and my brain froze. I have been wearing western style hats for 5 decades. I find them the warm/cool and very comfortable. FWIW - I am a yankee living in the deepest part of yankee land in southern New Hampshire.
This is unrelated to the hat etiquette lol but what style carhartt crewneck is that ?? Did you cut the opening/ U to a V shape or did it come like that? It’s very nice
I get a lot of questions about my sweatshirts. We got them on Amazon a few years back. They’re a little bit harder to find now. But yes, I do cut a V in the front so that collared shirts don’t wad up around your neck or underneath the sweatshirt. I wear one of them every day at work. Love them. www.scheels.com/p/mens-carhartt-loose-mid-weight-crewneck-sweatshirt/35481-K124/
This is very situational for me. Basically if there is risk of it getting lost or damaged it stays on my head. If I'm at a restaurant and there is no safe place to put my hat, it stays on my head. If I'm in someone's house, it comes off out of respect. If I'm in my house generally it's off if im resting, eating, or have company. Any other time it's my preference. It's my house so i basically wear it when i want. Don't go to church or pray, so can't say for that. Grocery or hardware store it stays on my head.
National Anthem note: If you are a military veteran, and the National Anthem is playing, you may keep your hat on and render a hand salute. Otherwise, take it off with your right hand and place it over your heart.
I bought a cowboy hat for my friends wedding and that's the only time I wore it. I didn't realize there was etiquette to it. Trying to think back if I broke any of these rules. I have wore a baseball cap my entire life, and the don't touch another man's hat applies to even baseball caps. At least around here.
I am going to my cousin's wedding in August in Milwaukee. It's going to be black tie. In March, I went to Nashville and bought a cowboy hat. I was wondering if they are allowed at black tie weddings
My pet peeve is wearing of the hat at the dinner table. My grandma, passed away in the ‘60s, used to say, “Only sheep herders wear their hat at the dinner table.” Just put the thing on your knee until you’re done eating.
I was always taught to remove a hat indoors at all times. I don't see people doing this anymore. Even here in Wyoming... 99% of people wear their hats inside buildings. It kind of throws me off because I was raised old school I Guess. I wore my black felt hat to the junior high rodeo finals 2 weeks ago! Almost everyone had white/yellow straw or resin. I tend to wear my formal hat if my outfit is formal regardless of the weather. It's pretty rare to go out for long periods of time in the heat / sun though dressed up..
I always tip my hat to a lady but it feels odd taking my hat off for someone. As for Canadian's putting a feather or a nail or what ever else on the right side I don't have a clue, I live in Alberta and every cowboy that I met who has something in there hat is always on the left side.
A few comments: 1) I've heard of hats with the buckle on the right side, but I have never seen one. 2) I usually decide between straw and felt hat by how warm it is. Earlier this week, we had some warmer weather and I wore my straw hat. Then it cooled back off and I'm wearing a felt hat. 3) If I'm at a restaurant and have a place to put my hat, I don't wear it. I don't have a place to wear it such as at an old-style lunch counter, I keep it on my head. 4) My felt hat is a 7X Resistol that is pretty old. 5) My straw hat is a cheap hat with a hat band that I bought separately. The hat band costs more than the hat and makes the hat look like it is far nicer than it actually is. 6) I like a more or less flat brim instead of one of the brims that are curled up like ropers seem to prefer. I've had problems with sunburns to the eyes and I want the hat to keep the sun off of my eyes as much as possible.
In Mexico we've got a saying, "There are three things you never lend someone in this world; your lady, your car, and your cowboy hat" Also if you're at an event and have your hat tilted to represent your single, straightforward covering your eyes show a man of serious intentions and it's also tradition to take it off when meeting a woman or someone older.
My Mama taught me that a gentleman always removes his hat when indoors or in the presence of a lady. Also women were to keep their head covered in church. It seems that a stampede strap would make it easier to remove your hat without having to hold it but I don't know if that is sufficient.
Stampede strings are for Hollywood. Chin straps denote a Cowboy in training kinda like training wheels till you can ride without losing your hat. Yep, hat creases are very regional, less now with social media.
There are many different hats, caps that are worn for different reasons and have many different functions. My cowboy hat has been really abused worn hard. Rain, sun, wind, I use it for all three when I'm out doors yes I take it off when I'm going to eat and it depends on what building I'm entering to take it off. If you are entering a court house you can't wear a hat at all.
Thanks for the question. This is an American 7x silver belly that has a 4.5in brim on it. I got mine a few years ago from bootdaddy.com. I think you can get them in quite a few different places as well.
That is a matter of preference. Felt certainly has a classy look but it might be too hot for some outdoor venues. If you are going to wear a straw, it needs to be in too condition.
Navajo way we wear our hat feather on the left too. Left side is the side we hold our bow; warrior strong. We also don’t put flat baskets on the wall for same reason; you might pour your valuables out. Baskets are for holding stuff, not displaying on walls. But I do store my hats down because spiders tend to web anything round that’s empty and dust gets in the hat.
Did you ever go to J W hats store in SLC? It is a great place if you want a fine well made hat of any style. He made hats for a lot of prominent people around the world.
Are you aloud to wear a hat if you don’t have boots or even are a cowboy? I was just wondering because I really like how they look but I don’t have any boots of any kind and I’m not a cowboy.
IDK if you'll find these facts interesting from the Australian Army wearing the Slouch Hat. In military terms it is known as Hat Khaki Fur Felt or KFF but the common known is Slouch Hat. Armoured Corps units wear Emu plumes on the left side. The left hand side of the hat is turned up. The way to tell the front from the back is by the stitching in the headband with the stitching always going to the rear. We are taught to hold both our hats and others by placing our hands inside the hat as you discussed to avoid damaging the bash and from getting the bash dirty. You could always tell if people didn't do this by a build up of grime on the bash. This also came from people holding the top of their hats when putting them on. The buckle on the chin strap always goes on the right apparently as a sign of remembrance to a fallen officer from WW1 (not sure if this is true). There are probably plenty points I've missed so if your interested Google will probably provide more.
Good info. However, I must comment on the hat you’re wearing. Seems the side curl of the hat shows a wider brim in the front and narrows to the rear. Gives the appearance of a hat being on backwards.
There are a lot of things to do with a cowboy hat in daily life. But the main etiquette of any cowboy hat: (When you should remove your hat) 1) At Dinner with your family (unless your family says it's okay to wear your hat). Even then it's just plain courteous not to wear your hat in the presence of your family. 2) During the Pledge of Allegiance (remove your hat and place it over your heart) It's an insult (both to the Flag, our Nation and its armed forces) to wear your hat during the Pledge. Same reason it's an insult to take a knee during the Pledge. 3) In a formal setting when there are ladies present (remove your hat). It's insensitive to the ladies to wear a cowboy hat. 4) When in close proximity to or greeting a lady for the first time, you should gently tip your hat to her. (It's a gesture of respect to the opposite gender and believe me, she'll appreciate the gesture). 5) At a funeral or funeral home (remove your hat). It's a gesture of respect to the family and to those who've passed if your remove your hat. 6) At a formal function (wedding etc.) It's just plain good manners and respect to remove your hat during a formal function, unless of course such an occasion requires it. 7) At a theatre (unless you're sitting in the very back row) Remove your hat. It's not only a distraction, it's just plain rude to wear your hat in a theatre forum. 8) During church, remove your hat (it's a insult to the Lord, and just plain a distraction to the guests and to the pastor to wear your hat). The major exception being unless it's a cowboy church, then wearing the hat is perfectly okay, but always remember to remove your hat during the Lord's Prayer and Communion. In the Bible, a man shall not pray or prophecy before the Lord with his head covered. 9) When you must take your cowboy hat off, there's two places it should be. Either hung up on a hat rack or upside down on the crown (never on the brim.) And never on the bed. Supposedly it's bad luck (if'n ya'll believe in that sort of thing). 10) Never touch another man's (or woman's) cowboy hat. Them's fightin' words. It's an unwritten code that you may very well risk your life touching another person's cowboy hat.
Why do you mount a horse from the left side? Seems like it is the same on both sides. A motorcycle has its stand on the left and leans that way, so that makes sense.
Mounted calvary/soldiers carried their swords on their left hip. It would make it extremely difficult to get on the horse if you have to swing the sword over the saddle as you got on.
I've seen the some women on TH-cam who consider themselves "Real Cowgirls." They would argue it isn't a fashion statement, because they have done their due diligence on the farm and culture-wise. 😂💪🐴 Technicalities aside, it's a fashion statement for many women. You are correct. 🤠
Being bald i have an affinity to hats. You can buy upside down racks and fake head molds etc but they are generally 30 to 40 bucks. I take the big Plastic water jugs with a handle and cut off the top third or so. Put the hat on it top up and its almost its like on your head. If its seasonal cover with something and that will block dust. Cheap and works great.
I've got only four hats. I've got four. Two felt and two straw. I got a "sunday go to meetin'" "fancy" felt hat. This one is for wedding,s church, date night with the with, and I've got my "I got work to do and it's gettin' cold" felt hat. I've got two straw hats.one for it's warm but not HOT and one for it's HOT. Now I live in s/e Louisiana and hot to us may be different for other folks. I take my hat off settin at a table to eat, but I leave it on in a bar. I take it off for the national anthem and I'll put a whoopin' on ya if you touch my hat if'n you ain't a lady. That's pretty much it.
Sounds like a good system to me! I have a similar routine with my hats. The other factor I have is how much wind I have to deal with. That will change my brim size from time to time. Thanks for checking out the channel! S^C
Well, a real lady wouldn't touch a hat...unless you've been too long at the bar and she's got her eye on your wallet! I agree with hats off at the table. Here in W. Tx we've got some cafes with signs up saying 'Leave Your Hats On.' Guess that's OK as there ain't no place to put them except under your chair anyway.
I don't wear it in "intimate" indoor spaces, definitely never while eating, never while praying or during the anthem. I will take it off when meeting someone who is important (like a lady or a preacher) and hold it by the crown in my left hand while I shake with my right. It's not great for the hat but it's a hat and I'm not treating it like a pair of fancy sneakers. I also wear them in the rain no matter how many X's it has. In addition I will lift my hat when acknowledging a female.
I was wondering what the best way to store a hat. Not sure if putting it in a hat can or on a rack would be good. Also was wondering on how to care for my hats as well
I worked at a ranch as a cook and some new wranglers put their hat down right side up on the pillow of a bed I thought the head horseman was about to turn them apart. I still never put my hats on my bed and always set them up side down.
Guess I am old-fashioned but I was taught to always take off my hat when indoors, regardless of the building. The best example of this was Bum Phillips, the Houston Oiler's head coach. Even though he wore hats he never had one on during a game when it was played indoors. Seems like a nice and respectful tradition to keep honoring.
He didn’t even wear his hat in the truck either🤠
@@Dstrbrdgrnd yep.
I agree 100%. It's not that you're old fashioned it's that these young people try to change the rules just like they do with everything in their lives.
I was taught it was acceptable to keep it on inside if there was no where safe to leave your hat
When you go into a crowded cafe at dinner time and there is no where to safely put a $300.00 hat, the best place for it is on your head.
Being from Texas , I was taught to take it off when I meet a lady or someone respectable, I was taught to never wear my hat indoors period, and yea, touching someone else hat (or worse knock it off their head) is something you just don’t do, unless you’re ready to get your ass handed to ya!
There isn't much hesitation after a move like that if it's a stranger. It's basically the equivalent of grabbing his ass and saying aye bitch what's shaking! Only the man's woman can realistically do it regularly and get away with it.
Just attended the Saddle Horse Auction at the Irma in Cody Wyoming yesterday. Nobody removed their hat in the bar or restaurant. I always remove mine when I sit down, not when I come through the door.
I'm educating an acquaintance about not touching my hat. He's done it twice...
@@danamcreynolds9456 It sounds like an ass kickin' is in order. NOBODY touches my hat, except my wife, unless I hand it to them. My hat and my boots are connected as touching my hat will cause my boot to touch your ass.
That last part sounds good to me 💯
My understanding has always been that leaving your hat on in the common areas of business and gummint buildings (lobbies, e.g) is acceptable; but the hat comes off upon entering a private area, such as someone's office.
The hat comes off immediately upon entering a home.
Hats off when eating at table, but may be left on at a bar or lunch counter.
If a lady takes your hat off your head and places it on hers, she is propositioning you.
Do not handle someone else's hat if your hands are not clean! I once had the Devil's own time getting out an oily fingerprint when someone manhandled my chapeau.
100% right.
Also, when you meet a woman for the first time at the house fence you push your hat up a little to show your face and show you are not a threat. Once invited into the yard the hat stays on until the front door then it is taken off for going inside.
Came here to find this comment because some people are too strict about buildings and such. Churches, homes, and private areas of businesses are where respect is to be shown and a hat removed, cowboy or otherwise. Common areas of stores, a bar, a dealership showroom, bank lobby, etc my lid is staying on. But as soon as it's a private office, a table, etc it comes off
Indoor public areas other than churches in courtrooms such as bars barns or lobbies hat on.
Only instance I would EVER touch another man’s hat would be to pick it up off the ground for him if he couldn’t immediately do it for himself. We were raised to respect a man’s hat/personal property in my family. But all the men (real men) in my family wore cowboy hats as well so…stands to reason.
I love the way you break down what to do and what not to do
My Grandpa, born in 1897 was the Real Deal. He, his Dad and his Grandpa owned and operated one of if not the largest cattle operation in the state and sold beef to the US Army during WW1. All three were 6 shot revolver carrying cowboys. He taught me to NEVER wear your hat through the door of any building, especially a church. He didn't wear his hat driving his truck in his later years either. If someone wore their hat inside you could count on him asking them if their head was cold.
Let's hear it for real Men and real GrandPas. Unfortunately both are lost arts in today's culture.
Sorry to inform you but I've been working the big outfits all horseback work since 1973 and cowboys pretty much all of them wear their hats indoors all the time depending on what type of building you are in. You won't see cowboys drinking in a bar with their hats off and neither a lot of the time in a restaurant. You'll see more cowboys taking their hats off in buckaroo country than cowboy country. Same with your spurs. Buckaroos will take them off when they get off their horse for the day. Other parts of the country you'll wear them into town. I've worked both traditions.
My great grandmother would take the hat off your head and cut it up if you wore it in her house, she did it to my grandfather.
@@HaydinJSau the biggest problem anymore is there isn’t anywhere to put your hat when indoors anymore. Don’t have hooks to hang a coat or hat,😂
@@Bronco-1776 I am with you on the spurs, wear'm when you need'm. It's Dimestore to wear'm just to jingle.
When I bought my first hat at a good local Western store, the older lady who had been the owner for years told me when handing a hat to me to handle it like a record. I was looking at Resistol hats and the color was called Crystal which was a beautiful light gray which could pick up a fingerprint in a heartbeat. After we found my size and brand she stated out loud "Resistol 7 5/8" as though from this day forward this was my hat brand and size! Then I paid for the hat and she says "never store your hat flat on a table with the brim down because you'll deform the shape of the brim". I had a buddy who tended bar at a pub I used to drink beer at, and he told me never, EVER let anyone try on your hat. He said this after I allowed a lady to try mine on, and then she proceeded to hand it to the next person who wanted to try it. It passed down the bar to 4 people by the time it got back to me.
My friend told me that if a woman wears your hat: "if you wear the hat, you wear the cowboy." Now that doesn't have to mean sexually, but if a woman is sitting next to a man and she's wearing his hat, they ought to be dating or married.
Most of the superstitions come from keeping lice out of your hat, don’t let people wear it don’t ever set it on the bed
@@Joel_Mullins06 - it's like wearing your letter jacket or class ring - but not quite as committed as wearing a fraternity pin or driving your vehicle.
@@KeithBaker-g4r lol
@@Joel_Mullins06 Last thing I would do is allow someone to remove my hat. ANYWHERE!!! But especially, in a goddamn bar! Not that someone hasn’t tried but they wound up regretting it! IMMEDIATELY! I made goddamn sure of it! You don’t mess with another man’s hat! Regardless of what kind of hat it might be! Not EVER! Not unless you’re willing to deal with the negative consequences you’re earning for yourself in TRYING to! 🤬
Up here in Wyoming, it is said that if you wear a straw before Memorial Day, you'll make it snow.
Also, ALWAYS take off your lid before you pass into a building.
do you wear your around your house?
So you don't wear a hat into a bar or a honky tonk or an indoor rodeo. Whatever. You say not to wear indoors but you do
@@justuh5625 No.
@@cwstewartjr1973
Do you know me? Nope.
1) I don't go to bars.
2) I don't wear my hat indoors, regardless of what kind of building.
3) Maybe keep your unfounded judgements to yourself unless you know me.
4) Just because you see a western hat inside a building, it doesn't mean there is a real cowboy under it. There are a lot of wanna-bes out there.
@@nohillforahighstepper and you are one of those wannabe cowboys out there pretending to be one
I always take off my hat in the shower and in bed. Now if you're just snoozing in the back of the truck, it's OK to leave your hat on.
That Randy Newman song, "You can Leave Your Hat On."
Idk man I like to wear mine in the shower LOL
@@GlitchCarEdits That's ok, if you shower outside according to Bum Phillips.
How about the barber's shop? Do you keep it on there? 😂
@@craigmatheson2736 Only if you want to end up with a bowl cut.
As a Barber, I can assure you that is how you could end up with one. 😅
I've had the same hat, made for my head, by hand, for over 40 years. It's endured below 0° and over 100°, my horse has been fed and watered out of it, it stayed on my head even when the boat turned over and we made it back to shore together! Rules? I tip it meeting a lady, I hang it up when I get home and I never go out without it, even to a wedding. It comes off during the anthem, at grave sights and during a wedding I'm not performing.
I dig it simple & to the point
You may wear your hat in a bar at the bar or lunch counter, but if you are sitting down at a table to eat a meal it should be removed (because any situation where you might say grace or give thanks is valid, unless you are in uniform). if you are running errands; feed store, bank, mercantile, keep it on. if you are drawn into a conversation with someone who deserves respect, then you remove it. It's sort of a situation by situation judgement of acknowledging respect.
To this day, unless I'm eating outside, I cannot sit at the table with a hat on. Just can't do it. But outside or inside, hats come off for grace. Only exception is war.
@@christophergraham3160 I can do it, but i'm far more comfortable taking it off if I have some place to set it.
On the other hand, it seems rare to see anyone take their baseball cap off while they eat.
My feelings as well. It really just depends on the situation. I’m not above removing my hat but it is only in certain situations and usually only done as a sign of respect that has already been earned from me.
Back 60+ years ago everyone wore hats causing the rules in this video. But hats fell out of favor and most became cheap and inferior. I am happy when people wear a nice hat nowadays and don't care if they comply with etiquette rules.
Everyone wears their hats backwards these days unless if you're a dweeb
@@tomtroy3792 I guess I'm not everyone. But I don't think of myself as a dweeb. To me a "dweeb" is the piss ant who wears his ball cap backwards because he fancies himself "cool". Of course then you have the super-dweeb who mistakenly wears his cowboy hat backwards...
@@tomtroy3792 "Dweebs don’t wear their hats backwards."
Yes, rendering the bill of the hat obsolete and requiring one to use his HAND to block the sun from harming one's eyes is SO much more intelligent.
@@TheWartHawg your comment tells me you're a dweeb sometimes I like the sun on my forehead and sometimes I like to block the Sun out of my eyes you're so worried about how you look to others you should just live your life the way you want
@@groth3395 your comment tells the whole world all about you you must be the pissant
Hat etiquette does NOT require removal indoors, it depends: Indoor hats: Public spaces worn, intimate spaces off. In a bank; in lobby on, in the bankers office off. Hotels, lobby on, interior "intimate spaces" such as elevators, off. On when in motion; cars, trains, walking. Off when stationary; dining, cocktails in private, seated in private spaces. Church: entry, lobby, vestibule on is fine, in the sanctuary off. During prayer of national anthems, off, held over heart. The " always take your hat off indoors" is for the lazy and uncouth that can't be bothered. A polite young man lifts his hat to an older man, however, and an abbreviated hat-tip (more like a loose salute) is always a friendly gesture from one man to another.
That’s how I remember it, too: Public spaces, my hat stays on; private spaces, the hat comes off. Like your example of the bank, the lobby is a public space so I leave it on. When I step into a private office, or even an individual desk in a lobby, it comes off.
In a restaurant, it stays on until I get to my table, then it comes off when I sit down.
Inside someone’s home, it comes off, but sitting on their front porch it probably stays on.
An exception to this is a bar. If I’m sitting at the bar itself, or maybe even at a table, I typically leave it on, though if I am in a booth I usually take it off.
I live in Texas, and Texans seem to think it’s fine to leave their hats on pretty much anywhere except church. I can’t believe the number of times I’ve seen grown men, even men who are old enough to know better, and especially men who are proudly sporting their “[Conflict/Branch of Service] Veteran” caps sitting in a restaurant with their hats on their heads. 🤦♂️
Best comment in this whole comments section. And best reply. The sad truth is that a lot of places, people don't wear hats or if they do, they don't know what they're doing.
With respect to churches, this may be somewhat of a Catholic versus Protestant thing. In a Catholic church, it is certainly seen as disrespectful for a man to wear a hat in any part of the church (with the exception of certain hats that have a function during Mass), but it would be more disrespectful to wear it in the church proper (what you are calling the sanctuary, but in Catholic churches, the sanctuary refers to the raised part where the altar is). This may be different for certain Protestant churches, but I would err on the side of caution and not wear a hat in church, period (though, obviously, it is perfectly acceptable for a woman to wear a hat in church, though casual hats like baseball caps would be frowned upon).
Just moved to Texas from another European country. Thank you for letting me know the rules. Now I'm feeling prepared. Not kidding 👏
Hey man! How has your stay in texas been? I hope great!!
Than you for doing this video .. there are so many guys that do not know hat etiquette!
In Australia if you wear a hat in a bar (hotel/pub) you are offering to buy a round of drinks for the whole bar.
Now that’s a cool tradition!
U.S. army tradition also..
That’s an excellent insight
Not true for any where other than an RSL
That's in RSLs and its not an offer, its in order to make up for the disrespect of wearing a hat in such a place.
Ok...I can appreciate true old west and cowboy etiquette for the real cowboys out there. But I do have to interject that if every Urban Cowboy didn't wear his hat indoors at the Dance Hall and/or other Western-ish establishments...then there never would have been a Gilley's or the electric Bull riding machine would have never been invented. So glad to see Bum Phillips name came up with his standard of not wearing his hat indoors (in the comments)...especially in the "Dome. But then he was deff not an Urban Cowboy. For those who are still down on 'ol Urbans...even after this many years. You should hang on to your Grandma's learnings: "Imitation is a high form of flattery." Loved watching this vid. Thanks for helping get the cowboy hat etiquette out to everyone.
Can definelty wear a hat indoors at a bar. I was in the Marines and hats were never allowed on inside a bar. However, the one exception was those who wore cowboy hats. Why, well, in my time, we ironed our Wraglers (crease down the center) and shirts and wore a belt ( as is required). Being we didn't have our hats on backwards and pants sagging, they let us in. However, they would stop others who were dressed the aforementioned way until they fixed themselves.
Never wear your hat on the dance floor, the urban cowboy folks have never been in a real Texas bar.
When I was runnin the rodeo dances or the dance clubs chasing girls I always used put a fan of tooth picks in the the front left side of my hat band. Just kind of got to be a trademark
Did people call you a goof? I would have
Having been in the Navy back during the Vietnam War, (yes, I'm THAT old) I was taught to ALWAYS remove my "cover" as soon as I pass through the door coming inside, unless one was wearing it to denote that one was on duty, such as guard duty, a habit to which I still adhere. When I was young that was also how one behaved in polite society, and wearing a hat indoors marked a person as an ill bred, manner-less rube. In restaurants, bars, and saloons there were usually either a coat check if it was a fancier place, where one would check their hat and outer coat, or at least hat racks and places to hang an outer coat in less fancy places. Often one saw a pole with hat and coat hooks attached to each pair of seats along the booths in diners and bars.
USAF during the Gulf War and it makes me crazy to see men walking around with their has on inside. ESPECIALLY veterans. I even saw a man who was seated with the faculty at a graduation recently who didn't remove his cap for the Anthem or the invocation. The speaker asked veterans to rise and he did. I get that the cap was part of the graduation regalia, part of the costume and therefore acceptable to wear inside, but I wanted to slap it off of his head for not removing it during the anthem.
You should wear your cover when "under arms".
Still do it in the army
Yep, as an Army vet it’s still automatic that I take my hat off when entering a building
Thank you so much for serving your country.
I was always taught to take my hat off inside, I went to a cowboys funeral in Walla Walla and was told before I went in to leave my hat on out of respect for the cowboy, at first it felt weird but I looked around and every cowboy did have their hats on. It was a custom for respect and definitely a when in Rome do as the Romans do.
Heck yeah!
maybe that doormun was having some fun with y'all
General rules for all hats: never wear them indoors. Most certainly never sit at the dinner table covering your head. When outside, if you have to show respect, like a funeral, or when greeting an elder, or anyone of a higher social standing, always remove your hat.
"higher social standing" lol, hilarious.
There is no "never" It depends on the indoors. You sound like a townie not a cowboy. And it depends on the "dinner table" or whose it is, where you are, if its at a restaurant it depends on who you're with and whether a coat & hat rack is provided.
Higher social standing. That's some of the dumbest shit I've ever read in my life. You must be one of those people who thinks their last name can get you out of trouble
If you take it off indoors, does that mean you just have to carry it the whole time?
@@dwaynewarren2590usually yes, unless the location you are at has a hat rack or somewhere to sit it down.
The reason the for no hats on beds evolved because in the old days cowboys had lice in their hair when they came back from herding or a long extended ride. So, putting your hat on the bed while you were gettin cleaned up amounted to infestation of the clean bed. I put my hat on the bed all the time and I’m very fortunate.
Thought I'd come back for another vid. Thank You for saying you place a hat upside down on the crown. Anyone who has stood at a tea kettle steaming just the right crease appreciates it when they're hat is placed on a table, etc, CORRECTLY. Had a girlfriend many decades ago who kept placing my felt incorrectly on a table, ground, etc. I kept telling her not to. She said she thought I like that hat more than I liked her. Haven't seen her since...
And, yes, grabbing someone's hat--unless you're five years old and we're related--is like grabbing someone's bee-hind. Just is.
My grandfather was a ship captain, he always wore a hat and placed it on the table upside down.
When I got into wearing hats, my mom always corrected me everytime I placed it the wrong way on the table
To addend hat wearing or removal during the national anthem. Veterans and active service members may keep hat on and render hand salute while the national anthem is playing.
Oh I thought this only applied to saluting if you are in uniform with your cover on... I didn't think that it applied when you were wearing your civilian clothes and a civilian cover.
Thank you for sharing your information!!!
Semper Fi!
When it comes to Texas weather I do not abide by the labor/memorial day thing. I wear what I want according to the weather. I live in southeast Texas and it might be 90 degrees in December and might be 30 degrees in April or September. I have seen snow in Texas on Easter weekend.
I'll wear western boots without a hat but I won't wear a cowboy hat unless I'm wearing boots. Nothing looks more incongruous than a guy wearing a cowboy hat and gym shoes.
Lol, I wear my straw hat with flip flops
If you're not riding a saddled horse there's no real need to wear cowboy boots. Unless it's for formal wear.
I grew up cowboying, was semi-pro rodeo cowboy in Texas, now I'm almost 50 and wear my Army infantry combat boots daily with my western hat.
If I'm going to ride a saddled horse I want my tony lama boots to fit in the stirrups. Tapered toe and high heel on boots is saddled horse riding specific footwear.
I mostly agree..but when I got work to do, I allow for a pair of work boots
@Phil Galvan we aren't related are we? Lol
@@SoldierDrew I don't know Andrew, I wear my ropers almost 24/7, need to replace them as this is the last resoling for the pair. 23 years in the Army and the last thing I'm wearing are the damn combat boots.
Restaurants are tricky. They no longer provide hooks or a rack to hang your hat on. That should come back. In Texas, casual diners often keep their hats on, day or night.
Got nowhere to place leave em on. Inproper to not take off. Exception is when eating with others. Always then. Rules are odd in regards to eating. Always has been.
I have the same dilemma with restaurants. No hat racks or hooks. You think I'm going to ask a restaurant employee to keep my hat safe? They don't know how to handle a hat and I don't know where their hands have been!
If the table not full ask for a extra chair for the hats
No, we take them off inside any building. Zero exceptions
When I can, I hang my hat on the corner of the back of the chair I'm sitting in. If I can't, I place it crown down on an empty chair at the table.
Here, in Australia, fur felt hats are worn everyday, regardless of season (which is probably why they degrade faster from dirt and sweat in the hottest months)
Australia is badass, love it. Wish I lived there
In 34 years of daily wear never owned or wore a straw hat.
Old timers find it impolite to show the inside of a hat, I shape mine to be fine set on the edge of a surface crown up. As long as the front of the brim can hang off, think fedora shaped brim.
Love all the “my granddad did this” and “my great uncle said this” comments. Those gentlemen grew up in a different time where people didn’t mess with other people’s belongings. My granddad never locked his door but there weren’t a ton of tweakers running around the valley stealing everything they could get their damn hands on back then. I lock my doors and I keep my hat on my head (with exceptions) because those days my granddad lived in are long gone, unfortunately
Manners have changed too, I would ask someone to leave my table or restaurant table if they wore a hat, any hat.
Ah yes. The "society has degraded into a gaggle of degenerates so what grandad did out of respect and respectability doesn't matter anymore" argument.
Your grandad wore the hat to keep the sun out of his eyes and off of his head. You know...the very reason for wearing a hat. Taking it off indoors was not only common courtesy but showed he had the common sense enough to acknowledge that he didn't need it. You're wearing a costume and playing a role. THAT is the difference between then and now.
@@TheWartHawgthank you for your comment. I grew up in a cowboy hat area. I use bucket hats only for the purpose of protecting my head and neck from the sun while working. Everyone judges me but I use hats for their intended purpose. I don’t wear hats at all unless I’m working long hours in the sun. No reason to go bald just to wear hats all the time.
Never wear a hat indoors or at the table was the rule and one I always respected. Passed it on to my sons and grandsons with a sprinkling of success.
@@geographyinaction7814 good for you! I’d gladly leave
Very informative. Glad you mentioned the importance of avoiding handling the crown. Perhaps in the future, a segment of putting on and removing the hat - a lot of those new to real hats squeeze the front of the crown that eventually deforms it.
Good content.
Nice video, very well done.
One thing I do is that I put my hats back in their boxes. That's one way to be assured that they're safe and stored correctly. If you are like me and wear only Stetsons, you'll want to protect your investment and in my case you'll keep them safe for the person you'll be bequeathing it to after you've crossed over.
Blessings to you all.
Thank you much for this video. I am new to western wear, I don't even live in the south but I really love the style. Now I know proper hat etiquette, thanks!
I was taught not to take my hat off unless eating at a table or hanging it up because the day is over. As far as church it comes off and sits on my left knee. When standing for prayer in my left hand then back to the knee . Also never put your hat upside down or on the bed.
Ive been told to lay the hat upside down on the crown as to not bend the rim if it were flat on a table.
Nice job on the video. Thanks for the thoughts and input. I appreciate that you mention what you believe is tradition and then your experience. Culture does change so it’s good to stay in step with the times.
Regarding which side the feather goes on, I was reminded of the saying, “Left is right, and right is wrong.”
Military teaches that "Cover" or hat that Amy significant threshold of any building to remove it, unless there is a ceremonial reason to such as promotions or change of command and other ceremonies. I do not know the original meaning of that. However, basic hat etiquette I had researched was based on public and private spaces is when hats are removed and replaced. As a guest in another house typically it was custom to remove boots, hats, and excessive clothes at the mud room or atrium/entry room. An indoor stadium or a shop or store as such was ok to wear a hat in there.
I worked in an old courthouse several years ago and the bailiffs made men take their hats or ball caps off before the judges came in. There was actually wire brackets under the seats for men to place their hats. when all men wore hats . I was never allowed to wear a hat or ball cap inside. Where has that etiquette gone?
I'm glad you know and made the distinction between a hat and a cap. It may not be official, but WE know.
That etiquette has not gone away. I spent almost 50 years in a courtroom as a lawyer or as a judge pro tem and the bailiff in every single one of those courtrooms would ask men - forcefully if necessary - to remove their hats or caps.
When I lived in Texas, I noticed men wore their hats when eating in restaurants.
I lucked out. Just got a new straw hat, added a band, and added a feather on what I now know is the correct (left) side. I have another hat I wear while hiking. It has two fine feathers I found in the wild. I put one on each side.
Thanks for all the other tips. I came here to find the best way to handle a hat without spoiling the brim. The woven palm one I just replaced had a hole worn by my fingers when doffing the hat.
Dude you are adorable and hysterical in equal measure! Thanks for the tutorial, from this lady in Chicago 💜
Maybe its just an Australian thing but if you hold someone elses hat you hold it by the crown upside down. Like cuping it in your hand. Otherwise you get thier head sweat on your hands. It would be disrespectful to want somone to put thier hand into your hat.
Hat off in doors anywhere too.
Hat etiquette regarding when to take it on or off has less to do with indoors and outdoors than it does with public or private. If you enter a space where you need to be invited, you should remove the hat. If you don’t need an invitation to enter that space it can remain on. Bars are considered public, in fact the origin of the word “Pub” is Public House. When you are seated at a restaurant you are invited by the host or hostess and traditionally you would remove the hat. Trains, airports and automobiles are all public and the hat can remain on. If the establishment or home does not have a proper place to hang the hat, as is often the case today, you may wear the hat.
I was born and raised in Southern California, but I wear a cowboy hat most of the time, and boots all the time.
I always remove my yat when I first meet or am introduced to a lady, and during the raising and lowering of the flag. Also if I'm eating outside (at a picnic table or something) I'll leave my hat on.
I agree with most etiquette; how ever the feather have a meaning on the different sides. Many native and cultural considerations are feathers on left as single and right for marred.
If you wear a cowboy hat in NY you magically turn everyone around you into the most hysterically funny comedian of all time. My all time favorite comments include: 1."Nice hat where's the rodeo huh huh huh" 2. " Whadya from Texas? huh huh huh" 3. "HEY I LIKE YOUR HAT! huh huh huh"
Stay away from New York
The horseshoe nails in the hatband are for resetting a loose horseshoe on the trail...
When did it become popular to wear your hat with the brim wider in front than in back? It always looks like you have your hat on backwards.
It is backwards. That's a Hallmark Christmas special cowboy thing.
I have a shelf in a cedar lined closet, with a wool blanket covering the shelf. I keep my hats there sitting on the crown. I normally take my hat off when going indoors anywhere, unless I will be needing both hands and there is nowhere to set my hat on it's crown. For instance, doing business in a bank, or most stores, clothing, grocery, etc.
My wife & I are not westerns, but being on vacation & going out for dinner, I wore my felt Stetson. This was in a tiny little joint in "no where" Texas. As we were being seated, we were next to an older couple and the gentleman was also wearing a hat. As we began to take our seats, I tipped my hat to the lady simply saying 'ma'am and then addressed the older fellow with a simple 'evening sir'. Being a Yankee I was trying to be polite & "fit in" How do you think I did?
I think you did great!
Fantastic!
You're lucky you weren't shot! Flirting with his wife and then rubbing it in his nose!
My advice-- Just look another man in his eyes and nod your head. Don't say anything to, or even look at his woman!
If it comes from a place of respect, it's hard to go wrong. Thanks for trying to immerse yourself in our culture when you're in the area, sure appreciate that
Those of us who grew up with the culture sure appreciate that gesture of courtesy and respect!
I'm a little old school, a little new school. I was taught by my grandmother and my parents that all covers get removed when going into any building that isn't a shed or a barn.
Being a northerner living in Florida, I only wear straw covers due to the near-constant heat. Plus, the law enforcement agency where I work only issues baseball caps and straw covers. Felt isn't authorized.
There is no way anyone can wear a felt hat in Florida in Summer! It would be drenched with sweat in minutes!
I'm from texas,and I always wear a felt hat and I wear overalls. I don't care what hat or how you wear a hat or how take your hat off or where and how you hang it.plus what you wear ,doesn't make you a cowboy,what makes you a cowboy,is your work ethic and heart and most of all your manners.
i was in sydney with my Aussie GF waiting for the train. She took my hat off my head with one swift motion. I got so pissed, because I was raise in the states and you know not to touch a hat off a mans head. Even if you're a woman, its disrespecful. I didn't think she realize how pissed I would get. I was wearing a Boston Red Sox Red my hometown.
Four minuets into this and my brain froze. I have been wearing western style hats for 5 decades. I find them the warm/cool and very comfortable.
FWIW - I am a yankee living in the deepest part of yankee land in southern New Hampshire.
This is unrelated to the hat etiquette lol but what style carhartt crewneck is that ?? Did you cut the opening/ U to a V shape or did it come like that? It’s very nice
I get a lot of questions about my sweatshirts. We got them on Amazon a few years back. They’re a little bit harder to find now. But yes, I do cut a V in the front so that collared shirts don’t wad up around your neck or underneath the sweatshirt. I wear one of them every day at work. Love them.
www.scheels.com/p/mens-carhartt-loose-mid-weight-crewneck-sweatshirt/35481-K124/
This is very situational for me. Basically if there is risk of it getting lost or damaged it stays on my head. If I'm at a restaurant and there is no safe place to put my hat, it stays on my head. If I'm in someone's house, it comes off out of respect. If I'm in my house generally it's off if im resting, eating, or have company. Any other time it's my preference. It's my house so i basically wear it when i want. Don't go to church or pray, so can't say for that. Grocery or hardware store it stays on my head.
National Anthem note: If you are a military veteran, and the National Anthem is playing, you may keep your hat on and render a hand salute. Otherwise, take it off with your right hand and place it over your heart.
I bought a cowboy hat for my friends wedding and that's the only time I wore it. I didn't realize there was etiquette to it. Trying to think back if I broke any of these rules. I have wore a baseball cap my entire life, and the don't touch another man's hat applies to even baseball caps. At least around here.
I like your hat style, looks good 👍
I am going to my cousin's wedding in August in Milwaukee. It's going to be black tie. In March, I went to Nashville and bought a cowboy hat. I was wondering if they are allowed at black tie weddings
Great question! Unfortunately, the answer is no. Unless it’s specified as “western black tie” or something along those lines
I wear felt year round
FYI, those palm leaf hats are hot! Mine (from Atwood) can hold water. I put some grommets in the crown to try to make it cooler
That’s a great idea. Palm hats can be very hot!
My pet peeve is wearing of the hat at the dinner table. My grandma, passed away in the ‘60s, used to say, “Only sheep herders wear their hat at the dinner table.” Just put the thing on your knee until you’re done eating.
On your knee or on an empty chair invites dropping it on a filthy floor or having a server spill spaghetti on it.
In the movie Wild Bill, you could get shot for touching another man's hat. LOL 😆
I was always taught to remove a hat indoors at all times. I don't see people doing this anymore. Even here in Wyoming... 99% of people wear their hats inside buildings. It kind of throws me off because I was raised old school I Guess.
I wore my black felt hat to the junior high rodeo finals 2 weeks ago! Almost everyone had white/yellow straw or resin. I tend to wear my formal hat if my outfit is formal regardless of the weather. It's pretty rare to go out for long periods of time in the heat / sun though dressed up..
Set the example and do what's right.
I always tip my hat to a lady but it feels odd taking my hat off for someone. As for Canadian's putting a feather or a nail or what ever else on the right side I don't have a clue, I live in Alberta and every cowboy that I met who has something in there hat is always on the left side.
I agree. Tipping seems less formal but still polite. Good to know about Canadians!
A few comments:
1) I've heard of hats with the buckle on the right side, but I have never seen one.
2) I usually decide between straw and felt hat by how warm it is. Earlier this week, we had some warmer weather and I wore my straw hat. Then it cooled back off and I'm wearing a felt hat.
3) If I'm at a restaurant and have a place to put my hat, I don't wear it. I don't have a place to wear it such as at an old-style lunch counter, I keep it on my head.
4) My felt hat is a 7X Resistol that is pretty old.
5) My straw hat is a cheap hat with a hat band that I bought separately. The hat band costs more than the hat and makes the hat look like it is far nicer than it actually is.
6) I like a more or less flat brim instead of one of the brims that are curled up like ropers seem to prefer. I've had problems with sunburns to the eyes and I want the hat to keep the sun off of my eyes as much as possible.
In Mexico we've got a saying, "There are three things you never lend someone in this world; your lady, your car, and your cowboy hat"
Also if you're at an event and have your hat tilted to represent your single, straightforward covering your eyes show a man of serious intentions and it's also tradition to take it off when meeting a woman or someone older.
My Mama taught me that a gentleman always removes his hat when indoors or in the presence of a lady. Also women were to keep their head covered in church.
It seems that a stampede strap would make it easier to remove your hat without having to hold it but I don't know if that is sufficient.
If you don’t mind me asking, what carhartt jacket is that? I’m a big fan of carhartt but have not seen that design. Thank you!
What about the creases or folds of a hat denoting the area one is from? Also how does one wrap the chin strap around the hat properly?
Stampede strings are for Hollywood. Chin straps denote a Cowboy in training kinda like training wheels till you can ride without losing your hat. Yep, hat creases are very regional, less now with social media.
There are many different hats, caps that are worn for different reasons and have many different functions. My cowboy hat has been really abused worn hard. Rain, sun, wind, I use it for all three when I'm out doors yes I take it off when I'm going to eat and it depends on what building I'm entering to take it off. If you are entering a court house you can't wear a hat at all.
I like the hat you are wearing. I'm a big guy and I like broad brimed hats. Who makes it? If this is impolite to ask, forgive me but tell me. Please.
Thanks for the question. This is an American 7x silver belly that has a 4.5in brim on it. I got mine a few years ago from bootdaddy.com. I think you can get them in quite a few different places as well.
So would you wear a felt hat to a formal event in the summer?
That is a matter of preference. Felt certainly has a classy look but it might be too hot for some outdoor venues. If you are going to wear a straw, it needs to be in too condition.
Navajo way we wear our hat feather on the left too. Left side is the side we hold our bow; warrior strong. We also don’t put flat baskets on the wall for same reason; you might pour your valuables out. Baskets are for holding stuff, not displaying on walls. But I do store my hats down because spiders tend to web anything round that’s empty and dust gets in the hat.
Nice video, good tips. Proud someone is teaching respect and manners. And spot on the time frame to wear felt and straw/palm.
Dude I'm from los angeles California I really appreciate this very cool advice and just things to keep in mind
Did you ever go to J W hats store in SLC? It is a great place if you want a fine well made hat of any style. He made hats for a lot of prominent people around the world.
Should it be off when inside a dances, proms, etc???
how wide is your brim on that hat you're wearing ? it looks good ,provides shade !
Brim is 4.5 inches.
Are you aloud to wear a hat if you don’t have boots or even are a cowboy? I was just wondering because I really like how they look but I don’t have any boots of any kind and I’m not a cowboy.
Yes absolutely
IDK if you'll find these facts interesting from the Australian Army wearing the Slouch Hat. In military terms it is known as Hat Khaki Fur Felt or KFF but the common known is Slouch Hat.
Armoured Corps units wear Emu plumes on the left side.
The left hand side of the hat is turned up.
The way to tell the front from the back is by the stitching in the headband with the stitching always going to the rear.
We are taught to hold both our hats and others by placing our hands inside the hat as you discussed to avoid damaging the bash and from getting the bash dirty. You could always tell if people didn't do this by a build up of grime on the bash. This also came from people holding the top of their hats when putting them on.
The buckle on the chin strap always goes on the right apparently as a sign of remembrance to a fallen officer from WW1 (not sure if this is true).
There are probably plenty points I've missed so if your interested Google will probably provide more.
4:07 and in aligned with albriseno, I was taught to remove my Cap/Hat/Cover when entering a building. But this was probably due my Military training.
Just got my first hat. Thanks for the heads up.
Good info. However, I must comment on the hat you’re wearing. Seems the side curl of the hat shows a wider brim in the front and narrows to the rear. Gives the appearance of a hat being on backwards.
There are a lot of things to do with a cowboy hat in daily life.
But the main etiquette of any cowboy hat:
(When you should remove your hat)
1) At Dinner with your family (unless your family says it's okay to wear your hat). Even then it's just plain courteous not to wear your hat in the presence of your family.
2) During the Pledge of Allegiance (remove your hat and place it over your heart) It's an insult (both to the Flag, our Nation and its armed forces) to wear your hat during the Pledge. Same reason it's an insult to take a knee during the Pledge.
3) In a formal setting when there are ladies present (remove your hat). It's insensitive to the ladies to wear a cowboy hat.
4) When in close proximity to or greeting a lady for the first time, you should gently tip your hat to her. (It's a gesture of respect to the opposite gender and believe me, she'll appreciate the gesture).
5) At a funeral or funeral home (remove your hat). It's a gesture of respect to the family and to those who've passed if your remove your hat.
6) At a formal function (wedding etc.) It's just plain good manners and respect to remove your hat during a formal function, unless of course such an occasion requires it.
7) At a theatre (unless you're sitting in the very back row) Remove your hat. It's not only a distraction, it's just plain rude to wear your hat in a theatre forum.
8) During church, remove your hat (it's a insult to the Lord, and just plain a distraction to the guests and to the pastor to wear your hat). The major exception being unless it's a cowboy church, then wearing the hat is perfectly okay, but always remember to remove your hat during the Lord's Prayer and Communion. In the Bible, a man shall not pray or prophecy before the Lord with his head covered.
9) When you must take your cowboy hat off, there's two places it should be. Either hung up on a hat rack or upside down on the crown (never on the brim.) And never on the bed. Supposedly it's bad luck (if'n ya'll believe in that sort of thing).
10) Never touch another man's (or woman's) cowboy hat. Them's fightin' words. It's an unwritten code that you may very well risk your life touching another person's cowboy hat.
Absolutely!
I am I big fan of hat feathers. Any thoughts?
I love feathers in my hats. I always have one of my felt hats for sure!
Where can i find your straw fedora that's on the table?
Why do you mount a horse from the left side? Seems like it is the same on both sides. A motorcycle has its stand on the left and leans that way, so that makes sense.
Mounted calvary/soldiers carried their swords on their left hip. It would make it extremely difficult to get on the horse if you have to swing the sword over the saddle as you got on.
I've seen the some women on TH-cam who consider themselves "Real Cowgirls." They would argue it isn't a fashion statement, because they have done their due diligence on the farm and culture-wise. 😂💪🐴
Technicalities aside, it's a fashion statement for many women. You are correct. 🤠
Being bald i have an affinity to hats. You can buy upside down racks and fake head molds etc but they are generally 30 to 40 bucks. I take the big
Plastic water jugs with a handle and cut off the top third or so. Put the hat on it top up and its almost its like on your head. If its seasonal cover with something and that will block dust. Cheap and works great.
I've got only four hats. I've got four. Two felt and two straw. I got a "sunday go to meetin'" "fancy" felt hat. This one is for wedding,s church, date night with the with, and I've got my "I got work to do and it's gettin' cold" felt hat. I've got two straw hats.one for it's warm but not HOT and one for it's HOT. Now I live in s/e Louisiana and hot to us may be different for other folks. I take my hat off settin at a table to eat, but I leave it on in a bar. I take it off for the national anthem and I'll put a whoopin' on ya if you touch my hat if'n you ain't a lady. That's pretty much it.
Sounds like a good system to me! I have a similar routine with my hats. The other factor I have is how much wind I have to deal with. That will change my brim size from time to time.
Thanks for checking out the channel!
S^C
Well, a real lady wouldn't touch a hat...unless you've been too long at the bar and she's got her eye on your wallet! I agree with hats off at the table. Here in W. Tx we've got some cafes with signs up saying 'Leave Your Hats On.' Guess that's OK as there ain't no place to put them except under your chair anyway.
You said a few Canadian fellers you met had a feather on their right side? You even figure out why?
I don't wear it in "intimate" indoor spaces, definitely never while eating, never while praying or during the anthem. I will take it off when meeting someone who is important (like a lady or a preacher) and hold it by the crown in my left hand while I shake with my right. It's not great for the hat but it's a hat and I'm not treating it like a pair of fancy sneakers. I also wear them in the rain no matter how many X's it has. In addition I will lift my hat when acknowledging a female.
Hi can I know the information of your carhartt sweatshirts?
Where is a link to these sweat shirts.
www.supercasuals.com/Carhartt/Carhartt_103852irr.cfm
@@StartupCowboy Thank you! Carbon Heather right?? :)
I was wondering what the best way to store a hat. Not sure if putting it in a hat can or on a rack would be good. Also was wondering on how to care for my hats as well
What’s the brim length on the hat you are wearing?
Where did you get the sweater from?
I worked at a ranch as a cook and some new wranglers put their hat down right side up on the pillow of a bed
I thought the head horseman was about to turn them apart. I still never put my hats on my bed and always set them up side down.
What’s the deal with working indoors, can’t find an answer for this. According to y’all, can I wear my hat to work indoors?
What is the make and model of the hat on the table?
Quick question, why did the shape go from wide in back to wide in front? In my age( 70-present) it was narrow up front, wide in back.