Bonnets on or off?

[creagdhubh]

Glasgow32, are you asking about the Scottish custom regarding the wearing of bonnets indoors, or about the American tradition re: wearing hats inside when one is wearing Highland dress? I can't give you an answer for the second, but with reference to the first, a definite, firm, unequivocal NO. In Scotland we always listen to our grandmothers because they know!

Quite right.

[creagdhubh]

This American of Scottish descent always listened to his grandmother as well, Rex. She would have said NO also to such a question.

T.

Hear hear - same as my grandmother!

[iustus]

This is not particularly of Scottish origin, though the Priest was a highlander of some persuasion... from Lewis or Argyle I think.
Anyway, he was teaching me Biretta-quette, that is etiquette for wearing a Biretta in Church, and customs abound, sometimes with different churches having their own twist. I add it to the discussion because it is an example of wearing a hat in Church.

A basic formula goes like this:Standing or Kneeling, OFF. Sitting, ON
Praying, OFF. Listening to readings or sermon, ON.

Its really about heat because its cold or is in some places. Trouble I find is that its not really that warm a hat the few times I've been asked to wear one. What I have found during more intense winters without heat in the church is that every little bit helps, especially if involved in vigils and any kind of fasting. The latter can make me so cold.

Wonder what the Scottish Free Church folks did in the outdoor churches? Granted, no Birettas but they seemed "formally" dressed... by that I mean black suits of one fashion or another with some hat of one form or another.

In general if you are inside the church, might offend some of the folks by wearing a hat, especially if the community reserves the sacrament.

I have found, if you can help it; Don't offend the Grandmothers, especially in Church. You may break their hearts and then they might jump you in the parking lot, with canes and walkers... I may have already said too much.

peace,
justin

[Fedgunner]

As I recall, the determiner for wearing a head cover indoors is whether or not you are "under arms". sword, fire arm, bag pipe, part of a color guard,... If not under arms, remove cover.

This is the rule I follow.

[JSFMACLJR]

This "under arms" business isn't followed in the UK or Canada. Military personnel are bareheaded in church.

I can, though, think of two exceptions. Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms and The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard wear their helmets and bonnets respectively when on duty in church. It is quite possible that The Royal Company of Archers, The Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland wear their bonnets in church whilst on duty.

[thescot]

Except for particular instances, such as an orthodox Jewish synagogue or perhaps and Orthodox jew, a gentleman removes his hat when indoors. Piperdbh stated it succinctly, and Jock Scot made good, common sense. In a public building or at a bar, the hat can stay on. Other wise, it should come off.

The modern habit of men wearing their ball caps while seated at a table makes me--and my grandmother, God rest her soul--cringe. I consider it rude and and rubish. If you wear yours thusly, then you might consider removing it in the future. Bonnet, ball cap, fedora, or flat cap should come off indoors, church, office, home, or Waffle House.

[Chas]

This "under arms" business isn't followed in the UK or Canada. Military personnel are bareheaded in church.

I can, though, think of two exceptions. Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms and The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard wear their helmets and bonnets respectively when on duty in church. It is quite possible that The Royal Company of Archers, The Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland wear their bonnets in church whilst on duty.

For further information - In the UK, on the very rare occasion of a Lying in State, the four corners of the catafalque are guarded by persons in full uniform. This includes headdress.

This is a picture of the Prince of Wales standing guard with his brothers, the Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex and the Viscount Linley at the Lying in State of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

These events are noteworthy because they are so rare - definitely a case of the exception proving the rule.

Regards

Chas

[ForresterModern]

The modern habit of men wearing their ball caps while seated at a table makes me--and my grandmother, God rest her soul--cringe. I consider it rude and and rubish. If you wear yours thusly, then you might consider removing it in the future. Bonnet, ball cap, fedora, or flat cap should come off indoors, church, office, home, or Waffle House.

I agree with Jim on this one, although on rare occasions I have been known to breech it myself (golf course lunch rooms, the occasional really bad hair day, after a long bike ride when I am extremely sweaty and have helmet hair, etc..). One additional point to make with regards to restaurants, however, is that when you remove your hat/vbonnet, under no circumstances should it go on the table where food will be served---drink maybe, but not food. Put in in your pocket, on the bench beside you, seek out a hat rack (not so readily available thesedays), anywhere but on the table itself. My wife has a cow every time I come home and drop my hat on the kitchen table while I hang up my coat or put things away, with the single phrase "We eat there."

j

[JSFMACLJR]

For further information - In the UK, on the very rare occasion of a Lying in State, the four corners of the catafalque are guarded by persons in full uniform. This includes headdress.

This is a picture of the Prince of Wales standing guard with his brothers, the Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex and the Viscount Linley at the Lying in State of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

These events are noteworthy because they are so rare - definitely a case of the exception proving the rule.

Regards

Chas

Chas, I was about to add that to my post above, but got side-tracked. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Zardoz]

Bonnet, ball cap, fedora, or flat cap should come off indoors, church, office, home, or Waffle House.

While one should certainly uncover in a restaurant, it's generally acceptable to keep a hat on while at the lunch counter of a diner like Waffle House. Most of these rules date from the time when all gentlemen wore hats, the biggest difference is in those days most 'nice' places had a hat and coat check, or at least a hat rack! Nowadays you'll just have to hang on to it. At least at the Waffle House they always have some hat and coat hooks.