Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-14
TAKE OFF YOUR HAT.
When and How to Do It In Difference
to . Lady.

krUm tne 81. f1ul Pioneer PreR1.
That there should be fashion in q mans
dofhng his hat in Difference to q lady is in no
way more remarkable than that there should
be fashion in the hat itself, but the average
man who pays attention to the style of his
headgear pays but little attention to the
manner OF his taking IL of in salute-so long
as he gets it of, and at the proper time. The
correct mode just at present is borrowed
from the English. When the fashionable
man of to-day meets lady on the street
with whom he is acquainted he stares at her
p.rsistently until he receives bow or smile
OF recognition, then instantly, with an auto
m lton-like movement, he jerks his hat down
in front Of his face for q single moment, re-
p aces it, and the act is done. This is the cor
rect English style. No longer do we see the
slow. quiet sweep of the hand as it removes the
hat deferentially to one side, while the wearer
smiles at the fair creature whom he salutes.
When such was the mode there was even q
chance Of uttering few murmuring common
places, and to look into the bright eyes before
one with languishing glances. But all this is
changed. The new style precludes the posi-
bility OF smile. 1t seems as though the idea
prevailed that the thing must be finished as
soon as possible, and that one mnst not
by any chance have an opportunity of casting
more than glance OF recognition.
While American men are universally con-
men than Europeans, they do not usually fol-
low those outward observances Of politeness
which count for so much in the amenities of
social life and which obtain so generally
abroad. The Frenchman rather overdoes the
thing; his insincerity is obvious to the most
casual observer. On the other hand the
average American is too careless He pleads,
perhaps, that the rush of business and the ac-
tivity Of mind which are natural conditions in
the fast life we live must necessarily render it
almost impossible to fully conform to those So
cial usuages which are demanded Of the man
who poses as a perfect gentleman; he usually
considers them mere useless matters of form
at the most. While this may be the case
while they may have as high esteem for
woman has of discovering it is the way he
treats her. This alone should be sufficient
excuse for exercising whatever knowledge of
polite usage the man may have.
very common breach of the laws of polite
ness-one which, while not in the least confined
to the northwest, is certainly prevalent here
to great degree--is the failure. upon the
part of men who pretend to be gentlemen to
remove their hats when they enter passenger
elevator in the presence of ladies. There is no
excuse for this fragrant discourtesy, none that
a gentleman would be capable Of making. at
all events. Again, take q ride on a crowded
street car and count the men who lift their
hats to ladies who thank them for the seats
they have given up. 1t will not be an excess
sive task on the mind to remember the num-
Der.
There are many minor cases where the lift
ing OF mans hat indicates to a certain ex-
tent his standing in society. To be perfectly
correct in all matters thereto, there should be
handbook published on hat etiquette. which
might properly be so arranged that man
could paste it in his hat covering.