Are you wearing a hat now? No? When was the last time you wore one?
There is an old philosophy (not sure where I heard it or learned about it) that says that a hat only stays on your head in the same exact place if YOU, and only YOU, place it there. If someone else places a hat on your head, you will inevitably reach up and move it (slightly or otherwise). Likewise, if you place a hat on another person’s head, he or she will inevitably shift it as well. If he or she puts it on their own noggin, it stays in that spot.
Does this make sense?
It is it true or false?
It can be said that human beings are creatures of habit. We like things the way we like them. Is the way we wear our hat singular in nature to how we are feeling in that moment(s)? Is it by and large a part of our personality?
No other bodily adornment or piece of everyday clothing fits this supposed premise. Shoes are slipped on or shoelaces tied without being changed no matter who puts them on you. The same may be said for shirts, pants, coats, socks, or various arrays of undergarments. Even a man’s necktie, when tied by himself or by another, presumably stays in place, the knot and length be damned. After all, when a man finally has his tie in place, he is probably and single-mindedly rushing on to the meeting, event, or job for which he has the tie on in the first place. He pays no mind, nor does he have the time necessarily, to alter his necktie.
But hats? Hats are another story entirely.
In some ways, this conjecture is complete and utter nonsense.
Or is it?
What is it about the way a hat lies on one’s head that makes a person’s self-installment of said hat satisfactory but another’s person’s placement a no-go?
Well, there is always ego and/or one’s appearance (or perceived appearance) to those in his or her immediate vicinity. Or maybe it is a photograph, there for all eternity for others to see or posted on social media, that one believes is “worth a thousand words?” If that is the case, one probably wants to have set that photo up themselves for the best possible result and not at the hands of another.
Then there is “head, hair, and scalp” sensitivity. Hey, you have just placed a hat on my head and you think you know how it will feel?! Hand it over to me. I know just how it should feel, and I don’t want to re-adjust it! Likewise, why and how should I assume how you want your hat to feel or be seen on you? It seems that you will probably reach up and, without hesitation or thought, shift your cap to your liking anyway. Put it on your own self. No muss, no fuss. Make sense?
Some people (and given some thought you probably know who they are) don’t even wear a hat in the first place. Good for them. They are not bothered in the least by this. Perhaps because they couldn’t care less and don’t want to know.
Finally, this relatively absurd but potentially valid philosophy applies to every and all types of hat: baseball cap, fedora, cowboy hat, “stocking” cap, military headgear, etc, etc. The only exception may be a helmet worn in football, hockey, and lacrosse. In this case, the putting-on of a necktie is similar: my “hat” is on. Put me in, Coach! I don’t have time to worry!
So the next time you put on a hat, for whatever occasion or everyday purpose, enjoy the fit just way you like it. And don’t leave your hat installment to anyone else’s devices.
It just will not feel or fit right.