If a woman bows to a man in any place where it is his privilege to wear his hat, he removes his hat and does not replace it while she is talking with him.  This rule applies everywhere except on the street.  “A gentleman of the old school” will stand bareheaded on the street if exchanging a word or two with a lady; in such case she may request him to replace his hat.

A man when driving or motoring cannot remove his hat.  He bends forward slightly and touches his hat brim with his whip, held upright, in the first case, and raises his hand to the visor of his cap in the latter.

At Other Times.—­When he is able to render some slight service to a woman whom he does not know, she will thank him with a slight inclination of the head and a smile, and he should raise his hat.  When he relinquishes his seat in the street car, he should give the lady a chance to acknowledge his courtesy, and then raise his hat.

Men raise their hats and stand uncovered as a funeral cortege passes into the church or from a house, and at the grave.

[Manners and social customs 763]

They also stand uncovered when the United States flag is borne past, or the national hymn—­the “Star Spangled Banner”—­is played in public, at a military review, etc.

When a man passes a lady in the corridor of a hotel, or on the stairway, he should raise his hat.

When he takes leave of a lady, the same act of deference is expected.

Hat and Coat When Calling.—­When calling, the man looks after his own hat, overcoat and stick.  His hostess does not offer to relieve him of them, nor suggest the removal of his coat.  He deposits his hat and stick on table or seat in the hall before entering the drawing-room, and takes off his overcoat if his call is to be prolonged.  Or, he may take them all with him into the drawing room if his call is to be brief.  In any event, it is his business to dispose of them according to his own pleasure.

RULES FOR PRECEDENCE.

A man precedes a woman in going down-stairs and follows her in going up.  This is that he may be in readiness to catch her should she fall.

He allows a woman to precede him on entering or leaving a room, and should open the door for her.

On entering a hotel dining-room the man may precede the lady to the table assigned them, on the occasion of their first meal, standing until she is seated.  Afterwards, he may follow her as the head-waiter leads the way.  Sometimes he permits her to precede him in the first case.

The question is sometimes asked who should follow the usher on entering church or theatre.  The rule above stated obtains.  The woman follows the usher; the man follows her.

The man allows the lady to enter the carriage first, but descends before her that he may assist her to alight.  The same rule prevails in regard to entering and leaving a street car, etc.