Is it rude to wear a hat indoors?

The case for Team Hats Off

Team Hats Off has history on its side. The Emily Post Institute explains that hats once signaled social standing, and taking one off was a sign of respect. Many of the old customs have faded, it says, but people still remove hats for that reason.

The Institute's list is long. Men, including those in baseball caps, should take hats off in someone's home and at the table during meals, in restaurants and coffee shops, at movies and indoor performances, in public buildings such as schools, libraries, and courthouses, and indoors at work unless the job requires a hat.

The custom travels well, too. Among many Europeans, for example in the United Kingdom, wearing a hat indoors is often considered impolite, especially in churches, schools, and private homes, and sitting down to eat in a hat is considered even worse. In Rome, pilgrims are expected to remove hats before entering St. Peter's Basilica. In Japan, Aichi Prefecture's official travel guide calls taking off a hat at temples and shrines a highly appreciated gesture.

The case for Team Cap

The rulebook has more exceptions than Team Hats Off likes to mention. Emily Post says men may keep hats on outdoors, on public transportation, in public spaces like post offices, airports, and hotel or office lobbies, and in elevators. Women's fashion hats may stay on in someone's home, at weddings and luncheons, and at religious services, as long as they do not block anyone's view.

Religious head coverings are a separate matter, and the court holds that they are never rude. The Emily Post list makes room for houses of worship that require a head covering, and the summary of European custom exempts religious reasons. The University of Cambridge's staff guidance names the Sikh turban, the hijab, and the yarmulke, and asks for sensitivity and flexibility to accommodate them. Emily Post also says cancer patients are exempt from hat rules and may keep their hats on at all times.

Some of the rule is also aging. A 2017 Today article questioned the Emily Post list, with one writer saying it is acceptable to wear a hat in a Starbucks or a movie theater and that standards have changed. Even in Japan, the Aichi guide says removing a hat at a temple is not required.

The court's ruling

A hat is not rude on its own. A sun hat in an airport, a fashion hat at a wedding, and any head covering worn for faith or health are all fine, and the court will not hear complaints about them.

But the casual cap at the dinner table has no defense. The traditional sources agree that someone's home and the table are hats-off zones. Team Cap is guilty of brim-related disrespect at the dinner table, and is sentenced to take it off before the food arrives.

How to settle it at home

House rules beat general rules. If you are hosting, it is fair to ask guests to take caps off at the table. If you are the guest, follow the host. When traveling, watch for signs at churches and temples, and when in doubt, take it off.

Never ask anyone to remove a religious head covering or a hat worn for medical reasons. If the fight is just about a baseball cap at dinner, file both sides and let Judge Whiskerton rule.

Questions people ask

Is it rude to wear a hat indoors in Japan?

At temples and shrines, taking it off is polite. Aichi Prefecture's official travel guide says removing a hat there is not required but is a highly appreciated gesture.

Is it rude to wear a hat indoors in Italy?

In churches, yes for men. Pilgrims are expected to remove hats before entering St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and inside churches it is men who are required to remove head coverings.

Is it rude to wear a hat indoors in the UK?

Often, yes. In the UK it is often considered impolite to wear a hat indoors, especially in churches, schools, and private homes, and worse to wear one while eating.

Are religious head coverings rude indoors?

No. The court holds that turbans, hijabs, yarmulkes, and other religious head coverings are not part of the hat rule. Summaries of European custom exempt religious reasons, and the University of Cambridge asks staff to show sensitivity and flexibility toward them.

Why is it rude to wear a hat at the table?

Taking off a hat has long been a sign of respect, and the Emily Post Institute lists the table during meals as a place where hats come off.

Sources

1. Emily Post Institute: Hats off, hat etiquette for everyone
2. Wikipedia: Etiquette in Europe (hats, sunglasses and coats)
3. Aichi Now (official Aichi travel guide): Etiquette when visiting temples and shrines
4. Vol.at: Stricter dress code at farewell of Pope Francis
5. University of Cambridge HR: Religious dress
6. Today: Wearing a hat indoors, completely rude or actually OK?