Hello.
Well, believe it or not, it's a federal law!
See:
U.S. CODE, TITLE 36, Sec. 301. - National anthem:
"During a rendition of the national anthem -
...
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right
hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over
the heart..."
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/36/301.html
Also see the Straight Dope Mailbag:
"Why do men take their hats off to show respect but women don't?"
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhatsoff.html
Of course, all of this raises the question of how did taking off a hat
become a symbol of respect?
Here are a couple of web pages with some theories on that:
'"Just as covering the head symbolized dominance, so uncovering it
symbolized submission. Ever since the early Middle Ages, to remove
one's hat - be it made of cloth or metal - has signified subservience
to a superior. As an animal bares its throat or belly to a dominant
rival, the feudal vassal bared his head to his lord, saying, in
effect, "I am at your service; do with me as you will." This
original sense of the ritual is mirrored in the expressions "with hat
in hand" and "I take my hat off to him."'
http://hometown.aol.com/fynehats2/page2.html
"It's a matter of history..
The "tipping" or removal of a hat is said to have originated from the
same place as the military salute. Knights would lift the visor (face
guard) on their helm, showing their face as a sign of respect and
their empty hand as an indication they meant no harm. This tradition
evolved into the modern military salute. Similarly, the removal of a
helm (helmet) or other headgear indoors and as a sign of respect or
reverence is said to have originated before the Dark Ages. This
tradition was carried on throughout the centuries by men of arms
(soldiers) and nobility, as well as their staff, servants and slaves.
After the Dark Ages, manners and etiquette grew to become an essential
part of everyday life and the conventions of hat etiquette became
ingrained in civilized culture."
http://www.bcvc.net/hats/
--------------
search strategy:
"their hats off" anthem
"our flag" pamphlet congress
"men not in uniform should"
I hope this helps. |
