I believe it is a medieval custom, indoors, if visiting knights had there visors down it was a sign of aggression possible attack, if the visor was up they were friendly. This translated into hats.

I must admit i like the translation, imagine walking into a restraunt sitting down with your hat on, while everyone is watching you waiting for the brawl to start. I mentioned parents because most people don't question the customs or sayings they pass to us resulting in generations with narrow minded thinking.

You usally get  people saying "its always been that way" or "it was good enough for my father"

Open your mind people!!

Rimme

Whilst that's almost certainly apocryphal, it does remind me of a legal tradition that is absolutely accurate: we Barristers do not shake hands with our fellow Barristers. Ever. The reasoning is that, as the tradition of shaking hands emerged from the need to demonstrate that a person was not carrying a weapon in his hands, a person of such ethics as a Barrister should never have to demonstrate such a thing!

I think to abadon a custom just because it has no literal function in todays world is sad.  It's the little things like table manners, not wearing your hat inside (if male), holding doors open, helping someone to put a coat on even if they don't really need it, the list goes on and on but my befuddled brain can't be bothered to process, that lubricate our society.  It's about respect for a another human being.  I still remember my Granddad, who would never go out without a hat, would lift his hat as he walked by a lady and would tip it if he walked past a man.  If a funeral passed he would stand still, remove his hat and hold it at his chest and lower his head until the funeral had passed right by.

My father-in-law always come to my car door with me even though I am more than capable of getting in all by myself.

It's just basic good manners and we have lost far too many of the and i think it is one of the reasons we have become a much less gentile society.  I, for one, have tried to instill these manners in my family.  I have to say though, the hairy children are not doing so well!

Sorry about the poor sentences.  End of a long day...

Whilst that's almost certainly apocryphal, it does remind me of a legal tradition that is absolutely accurate: we Barristers do not shake hands with our fellow Barristers. Ever. The reasoning is that, as the tradition of shaking hands emerged from the need to demonstrate that a person was not carrying a weapon in his hands, a person of such ethics as a Barrister should never have to demonstrate such a thing!
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You bring up a good point Loki. The pen is mightier than the sword. Well....it used to be. You Barristers or Barristas have found a more formidable weapon. The 'Smite Button'.

The reason why you don't shake hands is preceicly why Rev. Wright states what he did......you know that if you do, you will get aids..........

Well, ole L.B. Evans shook a lot of hands including mine.....................you be the judge.......

This is where I am able to contradict sevenT, as I am with The D on why men walk on the outside of the pavement/sidewalk.

I also get to contradict him with his explanation of L'eau, as allegedly what was shouted was "gardyloo" a corruption of the French phrase gardez l'eau (or maybe: Garde de l'eau!) loosely translated as "watch out for the water!") which was used in medieval times.

(I did have a better explanation for the second paragraph, but it takes me about 10 attempts to get into the site, and even though I am in, I still get kicked out when trying to read topics. Any chance of login in to post is a waste of time.)

I thought gentlemen walk on the outside of the sidewalk so if a car goes through a puddle the man gets splashed and not the lady  That's what I was taught. 

Me - i'll walk whatever is closest to the shops! makes sense of course.