[Carl in Tampa]

Only twice in my life have I sat at a meal with my hat on. Both were in Texas.

Once was in a small cafe near the LBJ Ranch where there were about 30 people having lunch at long communal tables. Like all of the other men in the room, I was wearing a "cowboy hat."

Every man wore his hat throughout the meal. There was no place to hang hats, no room on the tables for hats, and no empty chairs to place hats on. It was the custom of the area to wear cowboy hats at meals.

The second time was in a "very nice" restaurant near Bandera, Texas, where there were only four of us at the table. Our host was wearing his cowboy hat, and I felt that taking mine off might be considered a criticism of him wearing his, so I wore mine.

In Texas, western style hats are acceptable both in "cowboy country" and in major metropolitan cities like Dallas, Austin, and Houston. I only wear my "cowboy hat" in Texas, not in Florida.

In Florida there is a long tradition of locals wearing "redneck hats" which they customarily wear at the table when taking meals. My father-in-law wore his during all waking moments throughout his entire life. My brother-in-law presently does the same.

Never having been a member of the country club set, I don't know about the customs of golfers wearing their golf caps at meals.

Through four years of college in Florida I never saw one of my fellow students wear headgear during a meal. In the Army I never saw anyone wear headgear in the mess hall. The Sheriff's Office I worked for was pretty strict about wearing hats, but never required it at meals.

Bottom line.......... I think it looks "unrefined" to wear a hat while eating, and I can understand why people think it spoils the atmosphere of the dining area, but I don't let such things affect my enjoyment when eating out.