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Chapter 44

WHEN TO TAKE OFF YOUR CAP

Baseball caps are great. They cover your head when you have a bad haircut or when you didn’t feel like washing your hair. They show your support for your favorite team or your favorite store or tractor. They protect you from the sun on a hot day.

No matter how great his baseball cap may be, however, a gentleman knows there are times when he takes it off, no matter how hot the sun may be.

YOU DO

Take off your cap when you sit down to eat.

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YOU DON’T

Think that, just because you are in a fast food restaurant, you can get away with leaving your cap on. (And turning it around backwards doesn’t count.) Your cap always comes off, completely, at mealtime. If you can’t figure what else to do with it, roll it up and put it in your back pocket.

Why

People want to be able to see your face while they’re sharing a meal with you.

YOU DO

Know that there is a time and a place to wear a cap.

YOU DON’T

Wear a baseball cap in your classroom or in church. And you don’t wear a baseball cap with your suit and tie—even if it is your favorite cap, and even if it is clean and almost brand-new.

Why

Caps are for casual times, not for times when you want to look dignified.

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A gentleman takes off his cap during the National Anthem, during the Pledge of Allegiance, or whenever the American flag is passing by.

A gentleman takes off his cap when he is being introduced to another person—especially if he is being introduced to an older person.

A gentleman does not wear a cap with a slogan or a logo that might insult or embarrass another person.