"In a few parts of the US, hats are used as a gang insignia, and are part of the whole infantile gang bit about "showing colo(u)rs."

Well ... in my part of Canada, Tilley hats are used as a gang insignia ... the old fart gang which I'm a charter member of as we are the only ones that wear Tilleys ... and yes, we don't take them off when we associate in a pub, for the very reason Dave mentioned ... where would we put it.

sIx