A hat trick to avoid unwelcome guests

AS A child growing up in the Thirties, I remember that most women at the time wore hats as part of their everyday wear and to go out shopping, not just for special occasions. My friend’s mother put this fashion to good use, and she had a very clever and amusing ‘hat trick’ involving her own headwear. When her front door bell rang, before answering the door, she would take her hat from the hall stand and put it on. On opening the door, if the caller was a welcome friend she would say she had just come in and would then remove her hat and invite the visitor inside. On the other hand, if it was someone of whom she was not particularly fond, she would say she was just on her way out, since she already had her hat on. It worked a treat! The fashion for ladies regularly wearing hats has faded over the years, and now they are usually worn only for special occasions. We currently see anorak hoods and bobble hats being the fashion for both men and women. Times change and we change with them. ’Twas ever thus!

S. E. Smith, Walsall, W. Mids.