Cowboy Hat Etiquette [when and where to wear your hat]

Guess I am old-fashioned but I was taught to always take off my hat when indoors, regardless of the building. The best example of this was Bum Phillips, the Houston Oiler's head coach. Even though he wore hats he never had one on during a game when it was played indoors. Seems like a nice and respectful tradition to keep honoring.

Being from Texas , I was taught to take it off when I meet a lady or someone respectable, I was taught to never wear my hat indoors period, and yea, touching someone else hat (or worse knock it off their head) is something you just don’t do, unless you’re ready to get your ass handed to ya!

Up here in Wyoming, it is said that if you wear a straw before Memorial Day, you'll make it snow. Also, ALWAYS take off your lid before you pass into a building.

My understanding has always been that leaving your hat on in the common areas of business and gummint buildings (lobbies, e.g) is acceptable; but the hat comes off upon entering a private area, such as someone's office. The hat comes off immediately upon entering a home. Hats off when eating at table, but may be left on at a bar or lunch counter. If a lady takes your hat off your head and places it on hers, she is propositioning you. Do not handle someone else's hat if your hands are not clean! I once had the Devil's own time getting out an oily fingerprint when someone manhandled my chapeau.

I always take off my hat in the shower and in bed. Now if you're just snoozing in the back of the truck, it's OK to leave your hat on.

My Grandpa, born in 1897 was the Real Deal. He, his Dad and his Grandpa owned and operated one of if not the largest cattle operation in the state and sold beef to the US Army during WW1. All three were 6 shot revolver carrying cowboys. He taught me to NEVER wear your hat through the door of any building, especially a church. He didn't wear his hat driving his truck in his later years either. If someone wore their hat inside you could count on him asking them if their head was cold.

When I bought my first hat at a good local Western store, the older lady who had been the owner for years told me when handing a hat to me to handle it like a record. I was looking at Resistol hats and the color was called Crystal which was a beautiful light gray which could pick up a fingerprint in a heartbeat. After we found my size and brand she stated out loud "Resistol 7 5/8" as though from this day forward this was my hat brand and size! Then I paid for the hat and she says "never store your hat flat on a table with the brim down because you'll deform the shape of the brim". I had a buddy who tended bar at a pub I used to drink beer at, and he told me never, EVER let anyone try on your hat. He said this after I allowed a lady to try mine on, and then she proceeded to hand it to the next person who wanted to try it. It passed down the bar to 4 people by the time it got back to me.

Just moved to Texas from another European country. Thank you for letting me know the rules. Now I'm feeling prepared. Not kidding 👏

You may wear your hat in a bar at the bar or lunch counter, but if you are sitting down at a table to eat a meal it should be removed (because any situation where you might say grace or give thanks is valid, unless you are in uniform). if you are running errands; feed store, bank, mercantile, keep it on. if you are drawn into a conversation with someone who deserves respect, then you remove it. It's sort of a situation by situation judgement of acknowledging respect.

Back 60+ years ago everyone wore hats causing the rules in this video. But hats fell out of favor and most became cheap and inferior. I am happy when people wear a nice hat nowadays and don't care if they comply with etiquette rules.

Having been in the Navy back during the Vietnam War, (yes, I'm THAT old) I was taught to ALWAYS remove my "cover" as soon as I pass through the door coming inside, unless one was wearing it to denote that one was on duty, such as guard duty, a habit to which I still adhere. When I was young that was also how one behaved in polite society, and wearing a hat indoors marked a person as an ill bred, manner-less rube. In restaurants, bars, and saloons there were usually either a coat check if it was a fancier place, where one would check their hat and outer coat, or at least hat racks and places to hang an outer coat in less fancy places. Often one saw a pole with hat and coat hooks attached to each pair of seats along the booths in diners and bars.

I've had the same hat, made for my head, by hand, for over 40 years. It's endured below 0° and over 100°, my horse has been fed and watered out of it, it stayed on my head even when the boat turned over and we made it back to shore together! Rules? I tip it meeting a lady, I hang it up when I get home and I never go out without it, even to a wedding. It comes off during the anthem, at grave sights and during a wedding I'm not performing.

I love the way you break down what to do and what not to do

Hat etiquette does NOT require removal indoors, it depends: Indoor hats: Public spaces worn, intimate spaces off. In a bank; in lobby on, in the bankers office off. Hotels, lobby on, interior "intimate spaces" such as elevators, off. On when in motion; cars, trains, walking. Off when stationary; dining, cocktails in private, seated in private spaces. Church: entry, lobby, vestibule on is fine, in the sanctuary off. During prayer of national anthems, off, held over heart. The " always take your hat off indoors" is for the lazy and uncouth that can't be bothered. A polite young man lifts his hat to an older man, however, and an abbreviated hat-tip (more like a loose salute) is always a friendly gesture from one man to another.

In Mexico we've got a saying, "There are three things you never lend someone in this world; your lady, your car, and your cowboy hat" Also if you're at an event and have your hat tilted to represent your single, straightforward covering your eyes show a man of serious intentions and it's also tradition to take it off when meeting a woman or someone older.

General rules for all hats: never wear them indoors. Most certainly never sit at the dinner table covering your head. When outside, if you have to show respect, like a funeral, or when greeting an elder, or anyone of a higher social standing, always remove your hat.

Than you for doing this video .. there are so many guys that do not know hat etiquette!

I was always taught to take my hat off inside, I went to a cowboys funeral in Walla Walla and was told before I went in to leave my hat on out of respect for the cowboy, at first it felt weird but I looked around and every cowboy did have their hats on. It was a custom for respect and definitely a when in Rome do as the Romans do.

When I was runnin the rodeo dances or the dance clubs chasing girls I always used put a fan of tooth picks in the the front left side of my hat band. Just kind of got to be a trademark

Nice job on the video. Thanks for the thoughts and input. I appreciate that you mention what you believe is tradition and then your experience. Culture does change so it’s good to stay in step with the times.