5

A gentleman understands that a hat
exists for utilitarian purposes, either
to keep him warm or to keep him
cool. He understands, therefore, that
there is no reason for a hat, or a cap,
to be worn inside.

A gentleman may wear his hat or cap in
the public areas of any building, other
than a house of worship. He understands
that public areas include elevators,
department stores, and hotel lobbies. He
also understands that public areas do not
include the reception rooms of doctors’
or lawyers’ offices or any other place
where he expects to engage in one-to-one
conversation for any length of time.

If a non-Jewish gentleman accepts
an invitation to a Jewish wedding
ceremony, funeral, or bar or bat mitzvah,
he understands that he may be expected
to put on a yarmulke, at least for the time of the ceremony.

6

If a gentleman has elected to add a
hat—a fedora, a Panama, or a boater, for
example—to his celebratory getup at a
wedding, he removes it inside the house
of worship and under the wedding or
reception tent. To make life easier for
himself while inside the country club or
restaurant where the reception is held, he
checks his hat at the door.

If a gentleman wears a hat while traveling
on a short trip by train or bus, he may
choose not to remove it or simply to hold
it in his hand. For a longer trip, by train or
airplane, however, he will most likely wish
to remove his hat, stowing it as carefully
as he can in an overhead bin or beneath
the seat in front of him.

If a gentleman wears a hat of any kind,
even if it is a baseball cap,
a stocking cap, or headgear associated with his favorite
sports team, he removes it during prayer,
during the National Anthem, and during
the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unless a gentleman is attending a
funeral where men are expected to
cover their heads, he removes his hat
at any funeral or memorial service.
If he attends a graveside service,
especially during inclement weather,
he may choose to wear his hat,
although he understands that he must
remove it during any formal prayers.

If a gentleman is given to wearing
outlandish headgear—such as a plaid
deerstalker or a Russian sable cap with
earflaps—he understands that he is
likely to attract attention.

If a gentleman is given to wearing
Russian sable caps with earflaps, he
may wish to consult a doctor about his
need for attention.