How do you put on a balmoral?

[Geoff Withnell]

I know it's a lost cause, but before you assume someone who doesn't remove his hat inside is an uncultured clod, there are other cultures. As an observant Jew, I keep my head covered essentially at all times when not swimming, bathing or in bed. For formal occasions, such as the Burns dinner just past, I will have a kippah (skullcap) with me to wear at the event. However, most of the time I just wear my hat.

As far as bars, I remember my Grandfather telling me a story where he lent an accident victim his hat, so the shaken man could go in the corner bar and have a shot. Times change.

For clarification, I don't avocate taking one's hat off instead of holding the door for ones's lady, but taking one's hat off should be the first act accomplished once inside the building.