DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the reason for men removing their hats during the national anthem? Is it to show submission to God, as when entering a church? If so, what is the etiquette for a Jewish man who shows submission to God by wearing something on his head?
GENTLE READER: Now that people are using the word “literally” when they mean its opposite, it seems to be time for a refresher course in the nonliteral language of symbolism.
Symbolism is a useful way of conveying ideas and rules succinctly. But the symbols are arbitrarily chosen, and we have to agree on what they mean.
For example, we all know that a red traffic light means “stop,” a green one means “go,” and a yellow one — well, there seems to be some confusion here. Miss Manners knows people who think it means “speed up,” but traffic police disagree.
Whoever invented that system could have designated purple as “stop” and teal as “go.” It would work equally well, provided everyone learned and accepted the meanings.
Although the hat symbolism is different, the meaning of each is known to the communities involved, who have the task of explaining it to any outsiders in attendance.
For the national anthem, removing the hat is a symbolic gesture of loyalty to the country.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN
DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
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