Originally Posted by
irishdeltaforce
Yes Barney Rubble I have noticed when young gentleman meet ladies walking down the street they no longer tip their hat.
The dignity of the hat.
Until very recently, gentlemen wore hats. Normally a gentleman wore a hat outdoors, not indoors. And if he were a normal well bred man, he knew a passel of rules to follow regarding when to doff the hat and how to do so.
Besides protecting a man against the elements, a hat properly worn gives him dignity. It also permits him to practice a small ceremonial, that is, an act recognizing the right, condition or social status of others.