To be precise, Shambles, someone in the audience asked if it would not be more respectful if he removed his hat (implying that it would). Von Hagens replied that he wore his hat out of respect for those in whose tradition he was following. He was referring to those who had performed public autopsies in a spirit of scientific enquiry during the age of enlightenment. (Pictures of whom were on the walls.) The audience, which struck me as wholly respectful, responsible, serious and absorbed, applauded this response.

I await that promised "serious answer" with interest, but I will be disappointed if dress code comes into it.