HAT ETTIQUETE WINS OVER FASHION

Although hat lovers are a fierce bunch, many establishments are still adhering to the old rule of ‘taking off ones hat upon entering.’ Case in point: Phil Hellmuth was in the posh Dorchester Hotel in London and was asked to leave when he would not take off his hat.

The UltimateBet.com poker pro Hellmuth caused a scene while being escorted out of The Dorchester. But according to the media, Hellmuth got to keep his hat.

Hellmuth was dining with fellow UltimateBet.com pro Annie Duke at The Grill, one of The Dorchester’s luxury restaurants, and was asked by management to adhere to the property rules and remove his signature black baseball hat with the gold PH logo. Hellmuth, an 11-time WSOP winner, didn’t see eye-to-eye with management and denied the request.

After a day at the tables in the Premiere Poker League Texas Hold’em tournament, Hellmuth was escorted out of the restaurant, providing the paparazzi with some sizzle (too bad Britney wasn’t there).

According to its website, The Dorchester is a luxury hotel that “embodies the highest of traditional values.” Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke, two of UltimateBet.com’s biggest poker professionals, were in London for the Party Poker Premier League poker tournament.

We just happened to find a recent column on Hat Etiquette by Philip Howard.

Here is the question - “Please tell me once and for all, am I over sensitive in expecting men to take off their hat upon entering a place of worship, the courtroom, a restaurant, my house and any other public place where it seems appropriate to honour high office or womankind. Where can I find the rules since no one seems to be brought up to it today?”
AnonyMoses, Hatstand

The Answer – “Under no circumstances does a man wear a hat indoors. There are, of course, exceptions. There always are. Some religions and castes (military) dictate that heads remain covered in certain places and on certain occasions. To remove one's hat is a mark of respect and common sense. The Duc de Saint-Simon wrote a vast tome on the etiquette of hats. Who should uncover to whom? But hats are disappearing and today it matters less. But take off your hat, you Charlie Chav, especially if it is a baseball cap worn.”