In the old days, when cowboys went to town, there were unspoken rules about proper behavior. For one thing, it was considered bad form to stand in front of a saloon and wave at a friend on horseback because it might spook the horse. Instead, simply raise your chin upwards in acknowledgement. The rider will undoubtably do the same. Enough said.
The Cowboy Chin Wave
Don't expect these cowboys to wave at you.
A Kingman Saloon, early 1900s
Notice how everyone in this saloon, except the bartender, is wearing a hat, inside. Under no circumstances do you ever touch a man's hat, or attempt to try it on if he takes his off and sets it down. This is bad, bad form and could get you shot. Think about it: would you ever go into a friend's house and rummage through his dresser drawers to try on all the underpants you find there? Well, that's how a cowboy feels when you grab his hat and put it on your head. It ain't funny. It's really offensive.
This is Wyatt Earp's saloon in Alaska. Notice how all the men are wearing hats? Don't even touch them. I mean it. Don't be a horse's ass (see at left).
"Walk It Off, Peckerwood."
I played music in honkytonks for several decades and often a bartender, or a bouncer, would tell an angry, tipsy cowboy to "walk it off." It wasn't a request, it was a command. I have a hunch the same thing was true in the Old West.
Daily Whip Out: "Walking It Off."
"I can understand your anger at me, but what could you possibly have against the horse I rode in on?"
—Old Vaquero Saying
You're supposed to take your hat off when you're indoors. Although, it looks like it may have been different then. I've hardly ever hung out in 1880 saloons.
ReplyDeletewhere are you supposed to put the hat when you take it off?
DeleteI never take my cowboy hat off at any place.
Deletein all-male company, the hats are on; should a lady enter the establishment, the hats are off, it's a matter of politeness. Another matter is spurs, which can badly scratch the floor; "a cowboy would wear spurs indoors in a saloon, but not in a friend's house"
Deleterules different in saloons. Hat off in polite company and indoors in homes, restaurants, stores, etc.
DeleteThe take the hat off etiquette was reserved for your home and your Mama's house. A man must always be ready to fight or flight and he needs his hat to do either. Off the subject: a man would take off his hat and put it on a lady of his choice whether it was for the night or forever.
DeleteMy partner (an eastern lass)said when she came west she couldn't understand why the cowboys in the dance halls didn't remove their hats. Then she found out what they cost. Don't leave one on the table.
DeleteMy partner (an eastern lass)said when she came west she couldn't understand why the cowboys in the dance halls didn't remove their hats. Then she found out what they cost. Don't leave one on the table.
DeleteSpurs did not touch the floor, they was just above it, yes they were hard on furniture.
DeleteMy hat comes off in someone's dwelling but not necessarily in public buildings. Except, in the presence of a woman and then if not just lifted, it's kept in my hand. Touching the brim of your hat to acknowledge a gent or saying hello is fine. But tipping your hat to a gent is an insult. Kind of like calling them a "girly boy". LOL
DeleteTo make it simple, if women will be present the hat is usually off. It came off in church, barn dances, personal dwellings and court rooms and such. Much of this stems from scripture, being in church man is not to have his head covered by other than God, while women wore scarves for man is over woman and so forth. no it's not a dominance thing. Rather it's a motion of submission, a "respect"
Deletething.
Gees, I seem to have an opinion on this. LOL As per my last comment; By a man removing his hat in the presence of a woman, he's displaying that he 'respects" God's order of things and therefore would be suitable for her company. As a woman does by wearing a scarf and in some cases a hat and veil. It's a matter of mutual respect as well as respect for "the order of things".
DeleteThe only time a cowboy takes his hat off is to sit down at a table to eat. Or when he is in bed,for what ever reason.
DeleteIt is considered poor form to wear a hat when you are inside eating and the time I spent working ranch jobs everyone had the consideration to remove their hat when indoors during meetings and meals. Saloons must have been different.
DeleteYou take your hat off indoors in churches, private residences, or paying a formal visit to a high office like the mayor or governor. Public places you leave your hat on.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Rebecca. In my culture you always take your hat off indoors. They don't do that in the Midwest.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was taught as a young boy back in the late 50s and early 60s. However, much has changed since those days, in so many unfortunate ways.
ReplyDeletesure, in someone's abode. lady or wife present. maybe in a church wedding...but in a saloon? not hardly, mary jane.
ReplyDeleteWhere you from girl, New York City?
ReplyDeleteDan, You don't need to take your hat off at my house! So when are you going to visit? :)
ReplyDeleteHats off when your feet are under your mama's table or the Lord's House.
ReplyDeleteIf the napkins in a restaurant are cloth, hats off. Unless you're seated at the counter. Anyone's house but your own, hats off. Saloon, probably not, unless a lady is present in one of the more genteel places.
ReplyDeleteDmerrell, that is what I was taught too.
ReplyDeleteIn the old days a cowboy would remove his hat the first time he met a lady. After that the hat stayed on for all the reasons stated above.
ReplyDeleteNope, only at home or church. Just going out to eat, hat stays on. Its a military tradition carried over, means nothing really to civilians. Everyone has their own take on it. Because you wear a hat inside Applebees, are you an infidel? Nope.
ReplyDeleteTake your hat off in the company of ladies or when sitting at a table bût never at the bar
ReplyDeleteHat off in the company of ladies or when sitting at a table but never at the bar
ReplyDelete