Are Wearing Hats Inside The Clubhouse O.K.?

[PThomas]

i was STUNNED to see the head pro at a very old club in the Chicago area last year wearing a Titleist hat while he was indoors last year...maybe he just forgot or something....

[Jeffrey Prest]

Many more threads like this and we'll have to change this site's name to MidlifeCrisisRefugeCentre.com - I had given up daring to hope there was anyone else out there who still got irked about people wearing hats indoors like I do.

And to the sceptics, I think it's just a logic thing - you wear a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes, rain off your head, or to stop all that heat escaping through your cranium on cold days. Unless you're visiting some real skinflint with the heating system during winter there is no logical reason to keep your hat on indoors.
 
I'm walking on air, people. Thank you so much.

[Will MacEwen]

This thread illustrates the difference between Country Clubs and country clubs.   

[Walt_Cutshall]

Private clubs need fewer rules, not more rules.  The no hat rule is stupid, anachronistic and overly fussy.  It does, however, fit in nicely with the denim allergy that seems endemic in clubs across America.

Thanks, you saved me some writing time. I couldn't have said it better.

Reading this thread reminds me of hearing my parents complaining about "that damn rock n roll music." 

[Bob_Huntley]

I have a question for Bob Huntley because I'm curious, if nothing else:

At an all-male club, where women aren't even allowed on the property, let alone the clubhouse, does a gentleman still need to take his hat off indoors, and if so, what's the reasoning behind that?

It's a serious question.  Unlike usual, I'm not trying to be a smartass...

David,

I am afraid these quaint customs came to me as a young child and were reinforced at boarding school and in the military services. I still stand up whenever a lady enters the room or if spoken to in a restaurant. I open car doors for my wife. I do indeed remove my hat when indoors, Men Only club or not.

I am reminded of a humerous aside that probably sums up what many consider an anachronism. "A gentleman is someone who gets out of the bath to take a pee."

I really do care about small things because good manners oil the orderly decencies of everyday life. Call me old fashioned or whatever but I do believe in the Winchester School motto  that  "Manners Makyth Man."

Bob

[Dan Herrmann]

And, taking Bob's point further, manners equals respect.   It's the same reason I remove my cap whenever I shake hands before or after a round of golf - simple respect.

[Kyle Henderson]

I have a question for Bob Huntley because I'm curious, if nothing else:

At an all-male club, where women aren't even allowed on the property, let alone the clubhouse, does a gentleman still need to take his hat off indoors, and if so, what's the reasoning behind that?

It's a serious question.  Unlike usual, I'm not trying to be a smartass...

David,

I am afraid these quaint customs came to me as a young child and were reinforced at boarding school and in the military services. I still stand up whenever a lady enters the room or if spoken to in a restaurant. I open car doors for my wife. I do indeed remove my hat when indoors, Men Only club or not.

I am reminded of a humerous aside that probably sums up what many consider an anachronism. "A gentleman is someone who gets out of the bath to take a pee."

I really do care about small things because good manners oil the orderly decencies of everyday life. Call me old fashioned or whatever but I do believe in the Winchester School motto  that  "Manners Makyth Man."

Bob

Unfortunately, what counts for good manners in one culture is not well-received by others. I agree with the intent and its positive affects, but many of them are quite arbitrary in a pragmatic sense.

[Sean_A]

I don't give a rats ass about what people where in or outdoors.  Sure, I have preferences and will enforce the hat rule at my club, but generally speaking its none of my business.  I prefer not to wear a hat and always look to take it off, but life's circumstances dictate that I be aware of the elements.  The only time I will wear a hat indoors is if its cold.  I won't be exposed to the elements because somebody doesn't want to turn the heat on.  If that means leaving (which I have done) because a rule is more important than my health then so be it. 

The most important thing in all of this is to treat people as if they are reasonable - live and let live.

Ciao

Sean,

Do live in Alsaka?

Bob

Bob

It ain't often, but you'd be surprised how cold one an feel on a damp January day in England and how many buildings are so poorly insulated/heated.  I was thinking about getting a Scrooge nightcap and gloves!

Ciao

[Mark Studer]

Please just add W. Morrison's reply and include covered porches and awnings as no hat areas

What's so funny? The protocol that insists men remove their hats indoors permits women to leave them on.

From "Etiquette for hats and Caps,"  A woman may leave her hat on indoors or during the playing of The National Anthem, unless it is considered unisex like a baseball cap.  When wearing such a unisex cap, a woman should follow the same guidelines as for men.   

[Kalen Braley]

Many more threads like this and we'll have to change this site's name to MidlifeCrisisRefugeCentre.com - I had given up daring to hope there was anyone else out there who still got irked about people wearing hats indoors like I do.

And to the sceptics, I think it's just a logic thing - you wear a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes, rain off your head, or to stop all that heat escaping through your cranium on cold days. Unless you're visiting some real skinflint with the heating system during winter there is no logical reason to keep your hat on indoors.
 
I'm walking on air, people. Thank you so much.

Jeff,

Interesting comments, but a few more things to consider:

A tie - There is no real reason to wear one, it serves no purpose other than as a quasi bib for a sloppy eater.  Yet its not required to take off your tie when you enter indoors is it?

Shoes - They serve no functional purpose indoors do they?  The same argument could be made that they are only needed for outdoor use to protect against hard surfaces, cold weather, and to protect them.  Indoors are they really needed? I would claim not at all, yet they aren't required to be removed. (By the way, still waiting for a response as to why wearing shoes indoors is very disrespectful in Japan and not here.   )

Jewerly - To get even more obscure, how about rings, neclaces, watches, etc?  None of these are needed.  They are just mere accessories to adorn and usually result in no more than being fashionable.  In this same vein, why can't a hat be an accessory?

Its good to be a gentleman in your own individual interpreted way.  In my mind I've always felt one of the biggest components of being a gentlemen is not judging a book by its cover!

[Tom Huckaby]

What strikes me here is I get exactly what Kalen is getting at - that this whole taking off hats indoors things is pretty illogical - but that it matters not - it's a nice thing to do, and in the end isn't worth making a fuss over.  I mean outside of Sean Arble living in Alaska and needing a hat to keep warm indoors, why does one need to keep it on?  And if it's a nice thing to do to take it off, why not do it however illogical it may seem?

By this I mean I know you would always follow the rules without question, Kalen.

Just give me Bob Huntley over a sloppy teenager with a backwards hat on any day, regardless of whether any rules are in place.  That seems logical to me and trumps the poor logic of why hats may be required to be removed.  It just looks better and presents a better image and a concern for others over self, which to me is a good thing.

What's funniest about this is I have lived in California all my life, but I swear to all golf gods lest they strike me down and make every drive bounce OB that what got me to finally realize this years ago was hearing about Bear Bryant hatless in the Superdome.  As usual Mike Hendren speaketh wisely.

TH

[Kalen Braley]

Tom,

I think you have explained this the best.  I guess this is just the analytical software testing side coming out in me where I not only ask does something work, but also why. 

And as you guessed, I have no trouble following protocol, even if I don't understand why.  Its not a hassle to take my hat off and requires no great sacrfice on my part to do so.  I fully agree with the spirit of the last post you made.


Reminds me of a joke I once heard.

A doctor, lawyer, and an engineer were playing a round of golf when they ran into a group of players that were playing just gawd-awfully slow.  When the marshall came around, they complained about the group ahead.

The marshall said, those guys are fighterfighters who came to the clubhouse when it caught fire a couple of years back.  While they were activitly engaging it, a fuel tank exploded and it blinded all of them.  So we let them play out here whenever they want on the house.

So the Doctor says, "Well then, give them my card and let them know anytime they need something just have them call me and it'll be free of charge"

The Lawyer adds, "Give them my card as well.  If any of them have legal trouble just have them call me and I'll take care of em pro bono"

The Engineer gets a quiz-ical look on his face and says simply "Why don't they just play at night?"

[Tom Huckaby]

Love that joke!

And it's all good, Kalen.  You're the analytical guy, I'm the touchy-feely arts major beard-pullingly making this about concern for others over the self.  In the end it's just a darn hat!

 

[RSLivingston_III]

The continuing nibbling away at civility and respect...

[Melvyn Morrow]

Clearly some people do not like rules, some are missing the point, and some just don’t seem to know better.

Comment courtesy and respect for others would suggest that you do not wear a hat in The Clubhouse.

If you feel it makes you superior to others by disregarding the rules, then that clearly describes the person you really are. At the end of the day its down to you.

[Michael Moore]

Just out of curiousity, who here

always wears a hat outdoors

removes his hat when being introduced to someone
removes his hat to greet an acquaintance on the street
removes his hat while conversing with women, the elderly, or clergy
removes his hat while discussing departed loved ones

removes his cigarette from his mouth before tipping his hat
tips his hat only with the right hand
tips his hat when a strange woman thanks him for service
tips his hat when excusing himself to a strange woman
tips his hat when a stranger shows courtesy to his female companion
tips his hat while asking a woman or an old man for directions

N.B. - I was raised proper and I am polite, but thank goodness I am hatless, for I would never be able to remember this stuff.

[John Burzynski]

My experience is that it all seems to boil down to age and location where the hat is worn.

Every guy I know, regardless of age, removes his hat (or jus tplain doesn't wear one) when entering their house of worship.    Other location sensitive places usually result in the removal of hats by almost all men present (playing of the national anthem at a ballgame, etc.).

It seems that the 'fancier' a golf clubhouse, the less hats you see worn.  I routinely see baseball hats worn at my muni clubhouse and proshop, but not at the local country club (at least ont he few occasions where I am a guest there). 

Sometimes the hat makes a difference...baseball hats and winter ski caps are removed less frequently than dress hats...and that is across the board age wise.

Then there are generational differences.  Almost every man over 60 removes his hat when entering a building.  Some might even remove their hat when speaking with a lady. 

[JMEvensky]

Every guy I know, regardless of age, removes his hat (or jus tplain doesn't wear one) when entering their house of worship.    

Um,not exactly.

[John Burzynski]

Every guy I know, regardless of age, removes his hat (or jus tplain doesn't wear one) when entering their house of worship.    

Um,not exactly.

Ya, I probably shouldn't use use the word 'every', maybe 90% of guys remove their hats at church.

[tlavin]

If we're going to continue this harmless frivolity, may I ask that the subject be grammatically corrected to "IS wearing hats..."?

[Sean_A]

Since I have been dubbed a resident of dope smoker and tax rebate paradise Alaska, what are the courses I should be playing?  Surely, whether or not caps are allowed in the log cabins should be a consideration for the suggestions. 

Ciao