Do you?

[1MUNK3]

Alright you kilted and bonnet-ted chaps here, what do you do when you meet a lady or when addressing a lady whilst wearing your bonnet? Most of us in the Highlands raise a finger of our right hand,briefly, to our right eyebrow area, as the bonnet(balmoral/glengarry)is too awkward to raise and replace as you would with a bowler or trilby. I stress this is not a military style salute, but just an acknowledgement. So what do you do?

Hello,
When wearing my Balmoral, with my right hand, pinch the brim above my right brow between my thumb and index finger, briefly, at the same time bow / nod my head (with a smile of course), look back up (always making eye contact) and say "Hello" or "Good day to you". That is what a gentleman should do after all . I should like to think of myself as of that breed of men, a gentleman. It sounds like you do the same. So we are in agreement .

[ForresterModern]

About a 30 degree bow from the waist along with a southern gentleman style faux hat tilt by simply grasping the brim or whatever part is readily available with either hand is available (kind of the "howdy, ma'am" greeting often seen in the western movies of yore).

[Macman]

I kiss her on both cheeks, right, then left, then right again.

Seriously, though, I think that what chasem says also applies in my part of Canada. I think I'm going to try to improve my manners, though.

[The Vicar]

If I am wearing a hat I usually give a nod (slight bow) and raise the hat slightly off my head to a lady.

If I were wearing the same headwear that is mentioned that started the thread I follow the same style as Jock Scot with a nod and hand gesture but not remove the hat.

When meeting people it is my custom always to offer a slight bow to both male and female.

Robert "V"

[Phogfan86]

"Sounds a bit Froggy to me. How do you feel about cheese and white flags?"

Ok, that made me laugh.

[siva011]

I find that most men in the states, that I've come across at least, won't tip or touch their hats. not that they're rude, I just don't think it's as common knowledge as it should be. That, or us yanks are losing are gentlemanly charm.

I agree, I've never seen people do this until recently, and that's in movies and such. I've never known anyone who's done this, but I do like what I see. I'd have never known that I was rude for not making this gesture.

Hovever, it seems that most people do this upon eye contact. the problem I see is that walking through the city with so many people, I'd never have the opportunity to remove my hand from my hat! I guess i'd walk down the street for a few blocks holding my hat an inch or so above my head.....

[The Barry]

If it is just in passing, I'll "grab" the hat near where a brim might be, give a gesture and a "hello" or "good day". If I stop to talk, or just to be even more respectful, I remove the hat, unless I'm being drenched in a monsoon. But I wouldn't stop outside to talk in a monsoon.

[Jock Scot]

In the UK it would be good etiquette to touch ones cap with the finger and thumb. Or raise the cap and replace it on the head.

The point that I am asking is this. As the balmoral, or Glengarry has no brim to "catch hold" of, what do YOU do?

[piperdbh]

We're a whole lot less formal here in Florida.

Wot, no southern charm?

If Florida were a Southern state, there would be some Southern charm.

[EagleJCS]

Jock, I do as you and TNKiltedWolf and his brother do - I guess I'm one of the 'old school Southern gentleman' types.

If I'm wearing a Balmoral or Glen and I'm not otherwise occupied (piping or otherwise encumbered), I'll at least give the informal "salute" with my raised forefinger, touching my brow. Depending on the circumstances, I may remove my headgear if I'm in an extended conversation.

If I'm wearing a brimmed hat (baseball cap, western hat, etc.), I may just touch the brim in passing, lift the hat momentarily, or do the full 'courtly bow' thing - all depending on the situation and the parties involved.