Hat Etiquette

One of the etiquette faux pas I keep making, in my new live as a passing man, is that of hats. What is the modern man to do?

At work I see men who wear baseball caps to work and leave them on indoors, and at causal restaurants you almost always can see a guy or two with a cap on. But I think this is because of the trend toward baseball caps, and not hats. None the less at the times I think are odd someone will tell me to take off my hat indoors.

The most resent experience was at church. I wear an old Stetson fedora, especially when it is raining which it was the day of the hat experience, and I walked over to church and made it in the doors out of the deluge. I was in a hurry to get a seat and on my way to the pews when I was passed by the deacon and asked to remove my hat. It was an even odder situation because once I removed it she thought I was a woman and was all of the sudden ok with me having a hat on in the church. I of course want to do what is proper, and I always take off my hat once I sit down. Any way, I thought I would share some hat etiquette tips for the modern man.

1) Take your hat off in christian churches. If you are of a faith tradition where you are required to wear one out of respect, wear one.
2) Take hats off at business meetings and in most business places.
3) Are you in school? Take your hat off in the classroom. I think it is disrespectful to hide your eyes from your professor.
4) When speaking with people older than you you probably want to take your hat off, they might call you on it.
5) At the dinner table, take it off.
6) At the bar, leave it on if you want to but if you are out to meet people you might want to take it off so they can see your eyes.
7) The rule of tipping to women and taking your hat off in the presence of a woman, is rubbish. Women should not have different rules in this regard. Do what feels respectful and right but don't do it just because she is a woman, that is sexist, I think.

To read more sexist takes on hat etiquette:
Ask Andy
BCVC on Hats (history information too)

(Image of the hat style I have from: Another Time Vintage Apparel)