One day I wore evening clothes to work (yeah, yeah, I know) -- black tie, so it wasn't all THAT much of a deliberate gaff. I went out to get some lunch, and on the way back I stopped, gold-headed cane at my side, and tipped my hat to two passing older ladies (who I knew).

They didn't recognize me, but BOY! were they impressed at the gentlemanly manners! Then one of them did recognize me and the whole deal was off....

The polite thing out here (and in other rural areas of the West) when you drive into someone's farm or ranch is to wait by your vehicle until they come out and invite you in. Gives 'em a chance to tidy up the place before a visitor arrives.