Chapeau Short: Why do you tip your hat when meeting someone?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- Custom dictates that men should tip their hat, that is lift it slightly, when meeting or introducing themselves to someone, and remove it entirely when in a private space such as someone's home, or at a solemn event such as the playing of the national anthem. I explore the reason behind that custom.
When to remove one's hat is best understood by remembering this: Hats may be worn in public spaces, and should be removed in private spaces.
All of outdoors is public, as well as the public parts of interiors. So train stations, hotel lobbies and hallways, and other communally used interior spaces. Even elevators.
Private homes, offices within office buildings, and other spaces which are private, even temporarily private.
This brings us to restaurants. Traditionally you'd have a coatroom to leave your hat, but in smaller restaurants and diners you'd bring it to the table. The table or the booth is accepted as private space for those dining within that party. So hats off. But the counter is not private, since any other diner may sit alongside. Thus, you mar wear your hat while eating at the counter.
The other traditional time when I man removes his hat, is when he joins in conversation with a lady. Then, whether outside or in a communal public area inside, he will remove his hat.
Same rules apply to USN ships. No covers when under cover.
Good summary. I thought of including something like that, but as I was focused more on history rather than etiquette, I left it out, figuring I could get back to it another time in a dedicated video.
R.A.N. Pussers do the same method!@@Name-ot3xw
Catholic women and girls had to cover their heads, when they went into church. Same as in certain temples,Jewish men have to cover their heads, in those temples. In those same temples, Jewish women, not allowed to cover their heads. So try to figure this shit out. Catholic men and Jewish women, no hats. Catholic women and Jewish men, hats.
That was beautiful, thanks a lot for that
George Carlin: "One of the things they told us was that if a boy or a man went into church, he had to remove his hat in order to honor the presence of God, but they already told me that God was everywhere. So I used to wonder, 'Well if God was everywhere, why would you even own a hat?' Why not show your respect, don't even buy a hat! And just to confuse things further, they told the women exactly the opposite! Catholic women and girls had to cover their heads, when they went into church. Same as in certain temples,Jewish men have to cover their heads, in those temples. In those same temples, Jewish women, not allowed to cover their heads. So try to figure this shit out. Catholic men and Jewish women, no hats. Catholic women and Jewish men, hats. Somebody's got the whole thing totally backwards, don't you think?"
Gotta love George Carlin
I was raised to trip my hat for ladies. I was never told to tip for men. I was born in the 1960's in the Mid-Atlantic USA. Remove your hat in church, restaurant, theater or when a guest in someone's home. Simply being indoors like a shopping mall did not require removal. I would imagine that exact rules are different in different decades and countries.
Hats are indeed very interesting. I think that your channel is somewhat underestimated in the TH-cam hat appreciation community!
Growing up in England in the '50s, we were under the impression (from the movies of the time) that American men were not under the same obligation as their English counterparts to remove their hats when indoors - except, for some unexplained reason, when they were in a lift - that is to say, in an elevator. Go figure!
It was indeed the origin of the military salute, but not in the way most people think.
An officer in the forces holds the King's commission, and therefore represents the King. On seeing an officer, a soldier is expected to tip his hat to the King, and the officer returns the compliment on the King's behalf.
Officers had to pay for their uniforms, and they complained that their hats were becoming grubby from the persistent handling. It was therefore changed to the salute we know today.
In short, the salute is a symbolic tipping of the hat. It's also why you don't salute if you're bareheaded in the forces. (Yes, I know the Americans do, but they do all sorts of weird things.)
Things have probably changed today but back fifty years ago if you entered the Mess or the N.A.A.F.I. without removing your headgear the whole place would erupt with yells and catcalls and in some instances you would be forced to buy a round of drinks. Happy times. A possible explanation comes back to the saluting aspect as within the informal space rank could be ignored.
Interesting. I’ve heard it began in antiquity when soldiers would raise their hands to show they were not holding a weapon when approaching a general, which eventually evolved into the Roman salute (if it even existed) which was essentially just raising your hand at someone.
@chalkwizard1292 As far as the military's concerned, it's not so much a case of showing an empty hand, more a case of placing yourself at a disadvantage, and showing that you've done so. Removing your headdress does that, and it's emphasised by bowing, thereby offering your head to be struck. Bowing is common to many cultures, including our own at one time.
In the days when firearms were single-shot and muzzle-loaded, and took a long time to reload, it was common to fire all your weapons in the air, thus showing you were placing yourself in a vulnerable position. It's still done at funerals, for instance.
Another way was to actually offer your weapon to the other party, and the "present arms" is still done today.
@@chalkwizard1292I honestly wonder if it's instinctual. Something similar happens when I bump into someone. Hand up followed by apologies. I'm not a threat just another idiot in the sea.
I started wearing a hat two years ago, and people ask me this constantly. I always found it "fun" to keep that tradition going. Now I can just link this video to anyone who asks!
Had to tip our hat at school to all staff members when they or you walked by, and take it off inside. Still doing it 45 years later!
An excellent short on hatiquette.
You and TH-camr 'The History Guy' share a passion -- HATS!!
The channel I never knew I needed.
Just found your channel and immediately subscribed. Who would not want to listen to a British gentleman talking about hats. Greetings from a hat wearing foreign woman!
This guy is french….
Franco-American!
Excusez moi, monsieur ! Je vais écouter vos vidéos françaises 😊
Discovered this channel in March 2024. Very entertaining.
Always like hats. Have a flat cap “news boy hat?”. Wore a beret as a boy scout (also a wide brim US army-style hat, as Baden Powell). I wish I remember the name. I am going to buy a black fedora next. Saw kepis worn by French gendarmes in Paris. 👍
I enjoy your quirky series AND excellent language skills! Bravo ....
Hats off?
I too found this channel a few days ago and I am hooked! Great pace and content Monsieur!! Keep it going!
Would like to see your explanation of the old adage…. “Mad as a hatter “ 👍
Mercury poisoning.
@@themotorider1Yes, usual explanation is that hatters of old used Mercury in process of making felt hats. Of course it is toxic and even just exposure to fumes may lead to the condition erethism with symptoms often referred to as "madness".
I think it's because I had a huge crush on a girl who got mad when guys wore hats inside, that I've tried to adhere to proper hat protocol.
A great little video, I doff my cap to you Sir 👍
Indeed! ...this week, my friends and I went into an RSL Club (Returned Services League) for a quick beer, and a mate was reminded to remove his head-dress. (It was hot, we were puffed...!)
The Australian Army was/is taught that when there is a Portrait of the Monarch, as in all Messes, head-dress shall not be worn in deference to the Monarch!
In fact... if you fail to remove your hat... Members will start to count to 10! before you shout-the-bar!!
I still tip my hat, and I always remove my cover when indoors in a place of reverence such as an official building or place of worship.
One point that you neglected to mention is that the hat is typically tipped or removed with the dominant hand in order to show that you're not holding a weapon in it. The act of using the sword hand to open the visor, tip the hat, etc. also moves the hand further away from the weapon which is usually at the belt level, showing an additional level of trust in the person you're meeting.
In a synagogue many men wear hats for afternoon/evening prayer. The wives cover their hair too, usually with wigs.
Never handle one's hat by the pinch. Handle it by the brim!
Generally yes, but for soft hats like the Fedora, tipping it is almost impossible by the brim, so using the pinch is recommended. The idea is to minimize wear. You can take it by the brim to remove it completely (which is what I usually do)
This was so fascinating to learn this. Great video, I tip my hat to you… sir.
There's also a very practical reason to remove your hat indoors (or in the shade in summer); while a hat is great for keeping sun off your face and a warm hat is good for keeping your head and ears warm in winter; they do tend to get quite warm and damp so removing it whenever you don't need the protection also helps air out your hat and your hair to keep both dry and cool. And if it's a warm winter hat and it's cold enough for it not to be sweaty; it's probably cold enough that it's actually warmer to take off your hat when indoors in the warmth than to keep the outside cold trapped inside the hat.
But a more decorative and less covering women's hat that is often fastened with hatpins are much more of a process to remove; and if it's a very small one it doesn't make much difference in how warm your head is anyway; so it makes sense to not bother removing it. (I'm sure most women back when hats were more mandatory than today; also would remove their large summer hats indoors too, at least when intending stay for a while; for the same comfort reasons without being required to do so by tradition. ) You'd also probably loosen or remove a warm shawl when coming inside in winter too.
I'm pretty sure this practical reason is an important reason how this tradition persists since it's rather easy to remember when following the rules are in 90% of the time more comfortable than not following it.
duuude this is like everything i've ever wanted to know. i tip my hat to you
ive been watching your videos and who knew how interesting hats could be ! as ex military I always remember my beret and how it was perfect for a soldier, easy to roll up and place in your side pocket.
I have to say you look quite dashing in this particular hat. 👀👍
the classic "beanie" would be a good hat to cover.
and the "russian"/"hunter" hat, with the ear flaps, and fuzzy inside, i dunno the name.... i guess the "russian hockey puck" hat would be good too.
you could also cover the different fierfighter helmets from different countries, and time periods.
I see Herr Drosselmeyer on your mantle there. He has friend too. It sparks my curiosity about your background.
I think the custom of men (but not women) uncovering their heads in church antedates the Middle Ages. It seems to originate with St. Paul; see chapter 11 of his second epistle to the Corinthians. Love your videos. Are you going to cover the propellor beanie?
Wow, very interesting information, I had a lot of uncertainties about wearing a hat, so how I know more, especially when to take it off.
That was so informative and interesting. Love this channel!
Found this channel just a few days ago! i love it! Very interesting! And i like your enthusiasm!
Cool! Glad I caught this one early. Very interesting history!
Wow! you own medieval helmets !! Respect!
Well... replicas... the originals are a little outside my price range... ;p
Came for the history, stayed for the beard.
Since you mentioned salute. When I was in scouting I was taught "empty heads don't salute", that is, we only salute when wearing the hat. Saluting without a hat is wrong, at least in my country. 30 years later it still annoys me to see soldiers salute with "empty heads" in American movies.
This was informative, thank you!~
I very much enjoy your content. Thank you for bringing such facts forward that have unfortunately been forgotten. It is also worthy of note that hats are generally removed during the act of prayer in reverence to God.
Nobody had to take their helmet off when entering someone's house because armor was only worn in battle. Wearing armor at any other time would be like driving to the supermarket in an Abrams or a Bradley.
Great explanation. I see you have Diplomacy on your shelf. Best game ever.
Aussie tradition that is dying off, not hats inside the pub, if you did you used to told hats off or your shout.
(You can tell that he lives alone by the "decor" of his abode.)😊
MW, well not necessarily so. It could likely be that he's recording from his somewhat macho "man cave," or perhaps the person of the female persuasion just happens to share his taste in decor -- just as I do, as a woman. I, too, like ship and aircraft models, lots of books, horsey prints, and even model cars (though the Citröen "2 horse" is just too close to a Trabant or Yugo for my taste -- I lust for a model of an 1960s Lotus Super 7, or Caterham, it's modern incarnation).
But, only a tiny % of people wore a full-face helmet like that, and you wouldn't have worn it in the way to someone's house. Are we sure about this one?
Yeah, that's clearly a myth. The modern equivalent would be a policeman who wears full riot control gear at all times, even on vacation.
Have you done a video about the beautiful hats pf the Same (is it Sami in English?) people? Well worth to make a video about.
Mr Hat Historian sir, I have to ask you: where is your Akubra? Honestly, I think these are the greatest hats of our century, both stylish and practical. They are only betrayed by how damn expensive they are but still, they are cracking hats. Let me know what you think if you please.
I've just discovered your channel recently and I've really been enjoying your videos, I tip my hat to you.
i have been following your chanel for a couple of months now and
i have desired for buying a bowler hat since
Reminds me of that black knight I gave a flesh wound too. Very rude fellow he was. Never saw his face. I think yer cousin said I smelt of elderberries.
I love MPATHG references!
Thank you. Another nice English story about present day customs that go back to medieval knights. Goes to show how much of the Middle Ages is still around in England.
I doff my hat.
Could you teach us about the bycocket? Like the classic Robin Hood hat. It is my favorite kind and there isn’t too much about it on TH-cam
Just the video I've been waiting for! And I tip my hat to you...
Great clip and as per the origins of the military salute as explained below. An additional point I believe is the concept of subordinating yourself as part of a custom when greeting a higher authority. By removing your hat (male practice) you are lowering your body height, such as when greeting Monarch's or Lords or similar were greeted whilst they sat on a throne or a formal chair, possibly wearing a crown or other headress, you'd likely fully remove your headress, possibly also bow and lower your body further, or even kneel or lie down/prostrate yourself depending on the time era, and context. Also removing your hat may have been required in 'the old days' if the building ceiling or door arch was too low, it was practical so you wouldn't knock your hat off, especially as older headress may be tall (Top Hat) or have ornamental plumes or feathers, and also like today when getting into a car, etc.
Very good
Now that's my kind of hat. With St Patrick's Day coming did you ever do video on the famous Irish "Broad Block Brimmer"? If so don't forget the great song of same name.
Great video
I only just now realized you were doing these in two languages. Well done. Unless it's connected to the Fedora, I was thinking the PorkPie might be interesting.
haha, since I speak both I thought it would broaden my audience!
And I hope to do it once I acquire one.
Ah yes, the porkpie! It became the trademark of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who often wore it when outdoors in the New Mexico sun.
@elker6620 That's not my connection to it. Rocky, Popeye Doyle, and Hudson Hawk. but yes, Oppenheimer wore it. it's a strangely non-cool hat that is somehow cool because of that.
Love your channel.Educational and entertaining.Have you done a video on the Australian slouch hat?If so may I please have the link? Thank you.
Not yet but I hope to get to it one of these days
H/T to your most Informed program content, Sir.. ! 🎉
To this day, it is supposedly illegal to wear armor in the House of Commons. You can't even carry a sword, no matter how cool that looks.
The salute as a military is also a custom that is derived from opening the visor of a full face helmet. It is a sign of trust….to go into a situation with an open visor. I can’t recall where I heard or read it. Perhaps during my military training. You great higher ranking military like that. And you can only end the greeting as the higher ranked has returned the gesture and removed the hand. It is done in several ways. Mostly with the hand flat to your temple but I do see British salutes with the hand open to the higher rank. Perhaps that too is part of showing that you have no arms in your hand.
My father was born in 1899 and when driving past a Catholic church he would tip his hat
Drives me crazy that some men don’t take their hats off inside
You look like Clint Eastwood, wearing that hat.
did knights really go to church in full armor
Thank you for addressing this. Would you consider a hood a type of hat?
That was clear to me, but for churches (especially during prayer) I thought that it came from the bible (Korintheans 11) where it is told that a man should not cover his head during prayer or prophetic speach. Even in the Grand Tattoo of the German Army there is a part when they take off the helmets for prayer.
In some countries it is customary to remove the hat in the presence of flies, or other pestering bugs, and chase them away 😊
Quakers do not tip their hats because to them all men are equal. Their tradition is based on Sumptuary Laws which enforced the tipping of one's hat - or touching the forelock - to the gentry.
In England there was one other occasion when hats were removed - immediately before a public execution someone would shout "Hats off!" as the executioner applied the noose to the condemned.
This was not out of respect for the convict, but rather out of politeness, to ensure that people at the back of the watching crowd would have an unobstructed view. Justice had to be seen to be done, and as soon as life was extinguished the witnesses would cheer, then replace their hats. Prison guards, soldiers and policemen on duty to maintain public order would keep their hats on throughout.
I doff my cap to you and your channel. 🕵
Please tell me about the cloth device worn under the helmet you demonstrated.
Very interesting video. I'm not sure if it is entirely true but, British people were often portrayed as (wringing their cloth caps) in front of bosses when they were in trouble or asking for a pay rise . Taking off the cap and making a wringing motion as if the cap were wet through as a sign of subservience.
Feel like this is more supposed to signify nerves then it was protocol
Thank you for another angle of thought.
@@CAMSLAYER13
Surprising that there is no mention of the teaching of Saint Paul concerning headcoverings for men and women in places of worship.
Maybe among upper classes but what about the forelock tug which can't be done while wearing most workers hats? More workers than nobles...
By mistake, instead of getting to the English language version of this video of yours, I went for the French version. I was very surprised to perfectly understand each and every word, differently from practically every French speaker I hear anywhere i.e. films, TV etc. Is you clarity of speech due to your education or to your social / geographical origin? I really would like to know what is the case.... thank you in anticipation. Your command of the English language is also complete, that makes me think that you were bilingual since a very early age: is it that correct?
Thank you! My father always insisted on clear speech, so I probably got that from him. And yes, I'm native bilingual, my father is French and my mother American, so I grew up speajing both languages
@@hathistorianjcThank you!
@@hathistorianjc, ah, you have excellent taste in parents, sir!! Reminds me of "Robert" from Pierre Capretz's Annenberg PBS series, "French in Action." As I recall in the series, Robert's father was American and his mother was French. Leaning another language well becomes progressively and exponentially more difficult after about age 10, and after about age 14, learning to speak another language accent-free becomes all but impossible.
Not convinced by the visor on a helmet explanation, people didn’t wear helmets constantly and even when they did the majority would not be of a fully enclosed type.
Do you have better hat stores in kc than we do in stl? I'm not one to buy on the internet without getting a good feel for it in person. Wouldn't mind a short drive for a decent quality selection
There is a really good one in StL called Levine's that I would recommend. Otherwise, in KC, there is the Missing Piece.
@@hathistorianjc I've been to levies quite a bit. Is missing piece on par with them?
I think Levine's is slightly better though they are both within a similar league
Have you heard the story of the Ottomans who when visiting an Austrian official, were told to remove their turbans, and they refused, so the official was insulted and had their turbans nailed to their heads! No idea if it's true.
Tu nous a sorti le casque. Superbe ! Il a été fait pour toi?
Hélas non, je l'ai trouvé sur internet
@@hathistorianjc et bien, coup de bol ! Il m'a régalé.
The tipping of one's hat coming from the Medieval period and helmets doesn't ring true to me for several reasons. One is that not all Medieval helmets had visors. For a good part of the Medieval period open faced helmets were the norm and many common soldiers continued to wear open faced helms like the kettle helms. Then there were the various forms of great helms which had no viosors or provisions for one. And the later sallet came in both visored and visorless versions.
As for removing one's hat when entering a private space, that doesn't ruin true to me either. Generally speaking, knights and other soldiers of the time wouldn't be walking around everywhere wearing their armor all of the time, only when on campaign and even then only when engaging in battle or maybe guard/sentry duty. But when just sitting around camp between battles and obviously in times of peace, they wouldn't be wearing their armor so there would be no need to remove their helmets when entering a private space like someone's home.
Envisagez-vous faire une vidéo sur le chapeau des pompiers?
Si j'en trouve un
Is that a frigate XIX in the background?
It's a replica of La Licorne, from Tintin
Une tradition que nous continuons dans l'escrime aussi :)
J'ai fait du sabre, je connais bien!
please tell me that's La Licorne/the Unicorn from Tintin behind you
It is!
@@hathistorianjc I love it!
Nice beard!
Felicitations, la barbe vous va tres bien😊
Haha, merci! Je la laisse pousser une fois par an pour changer un peu.
The tradition is older than the middle ages. It comes from 1 Corinthians 1:14-15 . St Paul writes that God requires men to remove hats in church while women are required to keep their heads covered. Perhaps it was to differentiate early Christians from Jews as Jewish men covered their heads while in the Synagogue.
I lived in Bavaria for a while and the men there wear their hats inside ; such as a gasthaus or church ! . They are wearing folk costume ; not sure if that is relevant .
Well didnt they also wear armor? Why not to take your short off to show respect😄
Tipping the hat is much older than visored, or any helmet in general.
Hat is a mark of social standing and profession.
We remove it in proportion to the status levels in an interaction as well as distance (if you're far away you may briefly tip your hat instead of fully removing it if you were to meet that person up close.
You remove the hat as a sign of respect for the host. This has nothing to do with helmets because helmets wouldn't be worn indoors regardless of trustworthiness of the host.
We remove it indoors to humble ourselves in front of the host, we show our gratitude for hospitality.
Partially, by removing the hat we lower ourselves (both literally and figuratively) and srtrip ourselves of the social rank, status or profession, thus presenting ourselves as equals.
The same of course goes for the house of God.
Ladies as the fairer sex are spared from this act of humbling for any but the most extreme circumstances (like a show of immense gratitude or extreme difference in social status) as it would be unbecoming of a gentleman to force such act on ladies.
It would be a really nice video if it just didn't conflate the origin of salute (although that too may be disputed) with the custom of tipping.
Now that's explanation is completely weird.
Pls make video on indian pagdi and its types.
doff
Removing one's hat in church is in the Bible 1 Corinthians chapter seven.
Are you claiming that removing hats in church comes from knights removing their helmets?
'promosm'
Nice video, but those points you made about helmets are not the best ones. If you are wearing a helmet - you are going to battle, and not to someones house. Just like in modern day, you never see a soldier in full combat outfit just casually going to supermarket or a pub.
Aw man. As opposed to “grande chapeau”. Ugh. Marshals.
Like the vid. The tipping could be true, but removing your hat, at least in sacred spaces and homes is not because of trust.: 1 Corinthians 11:4 so you would not go into places were you would expect to pray. This includes people’s houses because of the prayer said before the meal, or a funeral procession