Bonnets on or off?

[Duke of Delrio]

#79 posts and counting.... I've gone this many rounds with my son who insists on wearing a hat indoors and to the dinner table. I feel like a grandma complaining about the younger generation and losing ground.

When I was 11, we touched the brim of our caps as we passed others on the street, especially those older than us, er we.

Want to argue whether than is a conjunction or a preposition?

Well, as every gentleman knows, "than" is always a conjunction when used in church while uncovered, and it is always a preposition when used in a cemetery while covered. I would avoid that "covered" part in a cemetery for as long as possible . . . because, to the above rule, there are no known exceptions. Glad to be of help.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

My own day to day 'hat rules' were formed during my years in the cadets.

"Hats off in the mess!", eating establishments, churches, offices and homes.

Hats left on in covered common areas, like armouries, supermarkets, and large shops.

[Mike_Oettle]

In my case, the cadet instruction was not quite as rigorous, but during my basic army training the “hats off in the mess” rule was rigorously enforced.
It has stuck.
Regards,
Mike

[Jock Scot]

One for you Mike.

Like many, traditions, conventions, the unwritten "things that are done" and the unwritten "things that are not done" that litter British society, there are traps to catch the unwary. A wee story, that illustrates the point--I cannot vouch for its truth in actual fact, but I can vouch for the cap tradition at breakfast.

Two visiting Royal Marine Officers come down for breakfast at the Guards Mess, and one of them wants some sugar to put on his cornflakes and asks a neighbouring Guards Officer to pass the sugar. The conversation goes like this:-

"Could you pass the sugar, please?"

No reply and no action.

"Could you pass the sugar, please?"

No reply and on the one sided conversation goes.Having had no response whatsoever the RM walks over to the Guards Officer and Shouts in his ear:-

"PASS THE SUGAR PLEASE!" and not so gently places his boot in the G O's scrambled egg.

To which the G O replies, as they do:-

"My dear fellow, don't you know that when a Guards Officer is at breakfast and wearing his cap he does not want to be talked to, or be disturbed?"

Somewhat nonplussed by this strange Regimental tradition the RM thought quickly and replied:-

"That is as may be,but from now on, when a RM Officer puts his boot in a cap wearing Guards Officer's breakfast it means, pass the damn sugar!"

[Jordan]

I can see that happening knowing a few ex Marines it wouldn't surprise me.

Jordan

[piperdbh]

Did he get the sugar?

[Mike_Oettle]

I imagine the RM got the sugar himself.