This is the rule in elevators in hotels, clubs and apartments.  In office buildings and stores the elevator is considered as public a place as the corridor.  What is more, the elevators in such business structures are usually so crowded that the only room for a man’s hat is on his head.  But even under these conditions a gentleman can reveal his innate respect for women by not permitting himself to be crowded too near to them.

When a gentleman stops to speak to a lady of his acquaintance in the street, he takes his hat off with his left hand, leaving his right free to shake hands, or he takes it off with his right and transfers it to his left.  If he has a stick, he puts his stick in his left hand, takes off his hat with his right, transfers his hat also to his left hand, and gives her his right.  If they walk ahead together, he at once puts his hat on; but while he is standing in the street talking to her, he should remain hatless.  There is no rudeness greater than for him to stand talking to a lady with his hat on, and a cigar or cigarette in his mouth.

A gentleman always rises when a lady comes into a room.  In public places men do not jump up for every strange woman who happens to approach.  But if any woman addresses a remark to him, a gentleman at once rises to his feet as he answers her.  In a restaurant, when a lady bows to him, a gentleman merely makes the gesture of rising by getting up half way from his chair and at the same time bowing.  Then he sits down again.

When a lady goes to a gentleman’s office on business he should stand up to receive her, offer her a chair, and not sit down until after she is seated.  When she rises to leave, he must get up instantly and stand until she has left the office.

It is not necessary to add that every American citizen stands with his hat off at the passing of the “colors” and when the national anthem is played.  If he didn’t, some other more loyal citizen would take it off for him.  Also every man should stand with his hat off in the presence of a funeral that passes close or blocks his way.

=A gentleman lifts his hat=

Lifting the hat is a conventional gesture of politeness shown to strangers only, not to be confused with bowing, which is a gesture used to acquaintances and friends.  In lifting his hat, a gentleman merely lifts it slightly off his forehead and replaces it; he does not smile nor bow, nor even look at the object of his courtesy.  No gentleman ever subjects a lady to his scrutiny or his apparent observation.

If a lady drops her glove, a gentleman should pick it up, hurry ahead of her—­on no account nudge her—­offer the glove to her and say:  “I think you dropped this!” The lady replies:  “Thank you.”  The gentleman should then lift his hat and turn away.

If he passes a lady in a narrow space, so that he blocks her way or in any manner obtrudes upon her, he lifts his hat as he passes.