It feels so weird

[Imurg]

Watch the Pros on the 18th this week....
Finish up, cap off, hand stroked through sweaty hair, handshake.......delightful

 

[Bdill93]

A lot of the young 'uns I know struggle with this concept. Not because they are disrespectful or ignorant, but because no one seems to be able to explain why it's "respectful or manners" to remove a hat. They understand that it's tradition but that doesn't explain the reasoning or rationale.

Even I'm at a loss as to why it's disrespectful. As above, I understand the traditional aspect but not how it signifies that I hold anyone in contempt.

Also - to add to the above - the difference nowadays is that Younguns literally challenge everything about tradition..

 

[GreiginFife]

Just goes back hundreds of years doesn't it. I believe its something to do with Knights removing helmets to identify themselves in medieval times.

No, absolutely. It does, it roots in the mists of history. But the question why remains. Why was it respectful? What about the hat/helmet removal made it respectful? This is the issue with many young people. The answer always seems to be "it's tradition..."

 

[GreiginFife]

Also - to add to the above - the difference nowadays is that Younguns literally challenge everything about tradition..

And rightly so. We shouldn't keep doing things unchallenged just because we've always done them. Especially if the context makes no sense.

 

[Bdill93]

No, absolutely. It does, it roots in the mists of history. But the question why remains. Why was it respectful? What about the hat/helmet removal made it respectful? This is the issue with many young people. The answer always seems to be "it's tradition..."

Well I suppose to show their faces to the young maiden watching on so they could bag themselves a fitty later on...

 

[Slab]

No, absolutely. It does, it roots in the mists of history. But the question why remains. Why was it respectful? What about the hat/helmet removal made it respectful? This is the issue with many young people. The answer always seems to be "it's tradition..."

By removing their helmet they signified they were not 'prepared for battle' and therefore presented no threat .... I think

 

[GreiginFife]

Well I suppose to show their faces to the young maiden watching on so they could bag themselves a fitty later on...

And contextually, that makes sense. The helmet hides the ability to "look them in the eye"... a hat does not.

Just devil's advocate stuff really based on the questions I hear being asked about stuff like "tradition".

 

[GreiginFife]

I think we were talking at crossed purposes a little.

A good golfing mate of mine always leaves his hat on indoors - I know for a fact that he's not being rude, or some kind of heathen (or idiot ), it's the simple fact that it was on his head when he arrived at the door, so there it remains. You're not wrong that there's no reason to wear it indoors, but there is equally no reason to take it off. If you have a hat upon your person, on top of your head seems like a convenient place to keep it.

Anyway, that's enough about bloody hats.

We got more hats...

 

[Orikoru]

A lot of the young 'uns I know struggle with this concept. Not because they are disrespectful or ignorant, but because no one seems to be able to explain why it's "respectful or manners" to remove a hat. They understand that it's tradition but that doesn't explain the reasoning or rationale.

Even I'm at a loss as to why it's disrespectful. As above, I understand the traditional aspect but not how it signifies that I hold anyone in contempt.

Exactly this. It's always things like this where the meaning has been completely lost in time, and we just do it because our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers did it.

Personally, the way I like to show my fellow golfers respect is in the way that I converse and interact with them across the whole round, not with meaningless perfunctory actions. I wonder if people would rather play with someone was a complete tosser for 18 holes but took his hat off at the end to 'show respect', or someone who was polite and good company but shook hands with his hat on?

 

[AussieKB]

I always take my cap/hat off, does not bother me if the other person does not, is it that big an issue?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Sat in a relatively posh Troon restaurant a few years back and there were four loudish Americans eating, all with their 'baseball' hats on.

It did look really strange.

 

[Bdill93]

Exactly this. It's always things like this where the meaning has been completely lost in time, and we just do it because our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers did it.

Personally, the way I like to show my fellow golfers respect is in the way that I converse and interact with them across the whole round, not with meaningless perfunctory actions. I wonder if people would rather play with someone was a complete tosser for 18 holes but took his hat off at the end to 'show respect', or someone who was polite and good company but shook hands with his hat on?

Why do you shake hands though and not remove your hat?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I have no idea if it is in any way part of the answer, but in military circles your headwear is embellished to reflect your position and seniority. By removing your hat you would be removing that element of distinction, and in some contexts it would be appropriate for the most senior to demonstrate that they are no better or worthy of respect than the most junior, that the most junior is worthy of equal respect as the most senior.

 

[Orikoru]

Why do you shake hands though and not remove your hat?

Shaking hands is just a nice way of saying 'thanks for the game' essentially. Same way you shake hands when you first greet someone. The hat part is irrelevant.

 

[Pants]

Shaking hands is just a nice way of saying 'thanks for the game' essentially. Same way you shake hands when you first greet someone.

Nah! It's just tradition. Been done for centuries so it must be the right thing to do.

 

[Bdill93]

Shaking hands is just a nice way of saying 'thanks for the game' essentially. Same way you shake hands when you first greet someone. The hat part is irrelevant.

So one is fine, but the other is not...

 

[Orikoru]

Nah! It's just tradition. Been done for centuries so it must be the right thing to do.

Honestly I didn't mind the fist bumps that were more prevalent during the Covid years. They seem to have died out completely now though and people have reverted back to handshakes. It doesn't matter which it is, it's just something to say well played and thanks for the game. And no clothing needs to be removed. Although taking your shirts off and chest-bumping would be fine.

 

[Orikoru]

So one is fine, but the other is not...

One makes sense and the other doesn't, that's the difference.

 

[AussieKB]

Honestly I didn't mind the fist bumps that were more prevalent during the Covid years. They seem to have died out completely now though and people have reverted back to handshakes. It doesn't matter which it is, it's just something to say well played and thanks for the game. And no clothing needs to be removed. Although taking your shirts off and chest-bumping would be fine.

think my belly would get in the way

 

[RichA]

In terms of tradition, it used to be the case that hat wearing was expected. 500 years ago it was a legal requirement in England.
Traditions change.
In 2023, unless you're so traditional that you frown on a person not wearing a hat outside, why care about someone wearing a hat inside, or for a handshake? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯