Hats off indoors

[Phantaxus]

Why is it traditional to remove your hat when you are indoors?

[Quizmonster]

A hat is designed as head-protection...from sun, rain etc. Clearly, it is unnecessary indoors. Apart from that, removing your hat is simply a mark of respect. That's why men used to raise their hats to passing ladies or young men would raise their hats to older men. In the case of a uniform hat, the wearer - eg a policeman - is acknowledging by removing it that the house, office or whatever he has just entered is someone else's domain, not his.
In olden days, a knight's removal of his helmet would have been a signal that he was happy for his face to be seen and identified. It would also show that he was disarming himself by exposing his head to possible attack. Both of these were gestures of friendship.

[Phantaxus]

Thanks QM. The knight reference I had heard of before but could not recall.

[landie]

Also to show that there are no hidden weapons under it. Don't know whether i'ts still relevant