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The Return of Cowboy Etiquette
dot-matrix:
The Cowboy Hat: Forgotten Etiquette
The legendary Chris Ledoux song, “This Cowboy’s Hat,” is a true expression of the relationship between a cowboy and his hat. Few would disagree that a man’s cowboy hat truly defines who he is and is representative of the life he chooses to live.
In the song, the lyrics read: “You’ll ride a black tornado, ‘cross the western sky. Rope an ole blue northern, and milk it til it’s dry. Bull dawg the Mississippi, and pin her ears down flat. Long before you take this cowboy’s hat.”
These words ring true for most cowboys who protect their hat and care for it as if it was a living being. The hat is as much a part of the cowboy as his hand or foot. The hat symbolizes hardships, fond memories and a way of life that is sacred and full of a passion few words could describe. However, hat etiquette is another story, becoming a lost art where the gentlemanly flare that was once associated with the hat has slowly vanished over the years.
“It might be that hat etiquette is becoming lost where people view a hat as just another piece of attire like a necktie or coat,” said cattle rancher and South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Larry Gabriel. “A hat on the head or in the hand of a person who knows how to use it is far more than that.”
Hat etiquette is how one wears the hat, which is ultimately an expression of values and character. The rules can be complex and even vary in different regions.
Sometimes hats are removed in elevators, sometimes they aren’t. When is straw hat season and when should the felts be worn? When must a gentleman tip his hat? These rules may have been known in earlier generations, but today few are as certain.
There is an unspoken rule as to when the straw hats go on and the felt hats come off. There are varying perspectives on this rule, depending on geographical location. Lee Lancaster, owner of Lancaster’s Western Wear in Aurora, CO, said most cowboys maintain the Easter and Labor Day rule.
“Most start wearing their straw hats around Easter, and put on the felts near Labor Day or a bit after, depending on the weather.”
As a rule of thumb, there are two general rules to abide by when wearing your cowboy hat, according to John B. Stetson Hat Company, founded in 1865. The first is in regard to tipping your hat. There are four occasions in which you should tip your hat: when a woman thanks you; after getting directions from a stranger, especially if the stranger is female; when you excuse yourself to a woman; and when you are walking with a friend and he says hello to a woman that he knows and you do not.
The second general rule is when to remove your hat. According to the Stetson company, the hat should come off when the following occurs: the National Anthem is played; when going into a building; when you are being introduced, especially if it’s to a woman; when attending a funeral; and when beginning a conversation.
There are, however, exceptions. In entrance halls or eating when there is nowhere to safely place the hat, then it’s acceptable to keep it on. In elevators, it is not impolite to keep your hat on, but if ladies are on board, it is good manners to remove it, according to Stetson.
“We can say a lot of things with a hat,” said Gabriel, who has been South Dakota’s agricultural secretary since 2000. “If you see a cowboy sitting in a meeting wearing his hat, you know he’s ready for a fight. If you grab his hat, you might get more than you bargained for.”
Although Stetson has general rules for hat etiquette, it is also, in large part, a matter of local custom. Cowboys all have their different rules, so to speak, but Gabriel said that is usually based on “local custom.” He said the basics are the most important, which are often forgotten.
“A cowboy with proper upbringing never fails to remove his hat when he hears the National Anthem, views the flag, enters a room full of people, is being introduced, is waiting for a funeral to pass, (someone) enters your home or is meeting a person worthy of his respect,” said Gabriel.
Removing the hat from the head is a sign of respect dating back to the days of chivalry, when knights raised their helmet shields as a sign of respect.
Hat tipping started back in the late 1800s when cowboy hats were becoming widespread. The tip of the hat was usually reserved for strangers and women, according to Stetson. But the tip of the hat is a subtle sign of respect for anyone. Hat etiquette in the 21st century is dwindling.
“I see people walking around in our capitol building wearing their hats,” said Gabriel. “I see people sitting at public meetings doing the same thing. Some view that as bad manners.”
Gabriel said he can easily spot a cowboy versus someone just wearing the hat. He said a hat doesn’t make you a cowboy.
“Only real cowboys know how to properly wear a cowboy hat. If you are properly wearing a cowboy hat, my hat is off to you.” — Mike Deering, Western Livestock Journal Editor
injest:
--- Quote from: dot-matrix on May 07, 2007, 02:38:27 pm ---In the outback country of the West, working cowboys still follow rules of etiquette that have been handed down through generations. How do you know these rules if you haven’t been exposed to cowboy culture? Mary Flitner of Diamond Trail Ranch in Greybull, Wyoming, sums it up best, “Be quiet and humble. Your cowboy skills (if you have any) will show in due time and you need not try to show them.”
Cowboy Code #1: Never touch another person’s horse or tack. Cowboys don’t touch or handle another man’s mount. Some ranch horses are hard to handle and the riders don’t want their animals disturbed by someone else. This policy also holds true when saddling and unsaddling a horse and loading or unloading a horse from the trailer.
Saddles and tack are highly valued personal items that should be handled only by their owners. Sometimes the tack has repairs or riggings that must be handled in a special way. A cowboy makes his living in his saddle and an equipment failure can cause injury to him or his animal.
(snip)
--- End quote ---
But if he has been thrown off and is draggin a limb or two - an offer to untack and care for his mount is appreciated!
:laugh: :laugh:
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: dot-matrix on May 08, 2007, 03:02:53 am ---The Cowboy Hat: Forgotten Etiquette
Sometimes hats are removed in elevators, sometimes they aren’t. When is straw hat season and when should the felts be worn? When must a gentleman tip his hat? These rules may have been known in earlier generations, but today few are as certain.
There is an unspoken rule as to when the straw hats go on and the felt hats come off. There are varying perspectives on this rule, depending on geographical location. Lee Lancaster, owner of Lancaster’s Western Wear in Aurora, CO, said most cowboys maintain the Easter and Labor Day rule.
“Most start wearing their straw hats around Easter, and put on the felts near Labor Day or a bit after, depending on the weather.”
--- End quote ---
This bothered me, but Adam said it's OK for me to wear my black felt Resistol to the barbecue. ;D
Easter can be a little early for a straw hat in these parts. I've been advised to treat them like white shoes--Memorial Day to Labor Day. ;D
--- Quote ---The second general rule is when to remove your hat. According to the Stetson company, the hat should come off when the following occurs: the National Anthem is played; when going into a building; when you are being introduced, especially if it’s to a woman; when attending a funeral; and when beginning a conversation.
--- End quote ---
A bit OT, but I am driven near to distraction by the sight of ignorant young men wearing baseball caps in church. I keep telling myself, "God doesn't really mind, God doesn't really mind. ..."
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on May 08, 2007, 09:14:38 am ---A bit OT, but I am driven near to distraction by the sight of ignorant young men wearing baseball caps in church. I keep telling myself, "God doesn't really mind, God doesn't really mind. ..."
--- End quote ---
True, God probably doesn't mind. Though then again, Old Testament God seems to have been pretty picky about details like that, and though baseball caps weren't around then, it seems possible they would have become an issue.
But God's not the only one for whom you're showing respect (or lack thereof) by how you dress in church.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: ineedcrayons on May 08, 2007, 09:36:56 am ---True, God probably doesn't mind. Though then again, Old Testament God seems to have been pretty picky about details like that, and though baseball caps weren't around then, it seems possible they would have become an issue.
--- End quote ---
True. More to the point, though, I was thinking of St. Paul's admonition that a man should not pray with his head covered (I Corinthians 11:4).
--- Quote ---But God's not the only one for whom you're showing respect (or lack thereof) by how you dress in church.
--- End quote ---
I agree. But, oh, no, we're not allowed to talk about that any more. ::)
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