Cowboy Hat Etiquette

Limited Edition Calgary Stampede Centennial Hat by Smithbilt, Calgary, Alberta

From thecowboyhatguide.com: "Never, ever get caught wearing your cowboy hat backwards. It's not pretty, and it's bad luck. Originally felt hats were intended for winter wear (protecting from moisture and cold) and straw for summer (protecting from heat and sun) which is logical. An arbitrary rule is that felt is worn between Labour day and the May long weekend, and straw in between. If it's a formal event, I probably wouldn't wear a straw no matter what. To travel with a hat, make use of a hat box, especially if it's a more expensive hat. If I'm traveling and not wearing my relatively inexpensive hat, I simply carry it, carefully, in a plastic shopping bag. The first rule of cowboy hat etiquette that is indisputable and critical, is don't mess with a cowboy's hat. A cowboy hat is a very personal, and sometimes very expensive, item. In some places, to touch a man's hat without permission will get you pile-driven into the wall, you just don't do it. Next: Any time you enter a building, the hat should come off. If it is an informal occasion you may put it back on, but for a formal occasion it should stay off. When sitting down at a table for a meal, the hat should come off unless there is nowhere to safely lay the hat. When sitting down at a counter for a meal, the hat can stay on. Outside, however, keep your hat on while you eat. If you take your hat off, someone might step on it or spill food into the rim. I've always thought there was something particularly elegant about the cowboy greeting, touching one's hand to the brim of one's hat. A part of the origin of this was that when men would meet, moving the hand to the hat brim signaled friendly intentions by moving the hand away from the holster. Tipping of the cowboy hat when meeting someone depends completely upon the situation but it does show good breeding and respect."