Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Washington's Rules - #26

This week we look at Washington's Rules #26, which says:

26thIn Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen, etc., make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.

This rule demonstrates the fact the George Washington grew up when our country was still part of Great Britain, under King George III. In Washington's time there were Noblemen, and certain people that one would bow and take off the hat for. Today few people wear hats, and those who do don't know the appropriate etiquette one should exercise when wearing a hat. I'd be happy if boys just knew to remove their hat when sitting down at the table! I remember that in the military the hat goes on out of doors and comes off when entering a building. I think this is supposed to be the rule for anyone wearing a hat. There are no nobles; a nod of the head to acknowledge someone is nice, but don't bow please. :)

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