Picture it: The raw
temperature outside is below zero, the temperature with windchill is, needless
to say, even colder. It’s a Thursday morning which of course means Topics at
8:30 AM. You roll out of bed at 8:20. You hurry over to the Struve Communication
Center and head to Room 4, ready to learn how to be an effective Writing
Center consultant. But when you enter the classroom, something seems amiss. You
look around at your fellow consultants and that’s when it hits you: the
majority of the exceptional human beings you call colleagues have not worn a
hat to class on this bitterly cold morning.
Hopefully you are right
now feeling the same indignation that I felt when I first realized most of my
classmates don’t wear hats around campus, even when the temperature has dipped
far below freezing. And it led me to wonder just why this was the case.
(It also led me to loudly and extensively chastise my hatless classmates. I am
sorry. I cannot promise it won’t happen again.) So let’s take a look at what
the people have to say about the topic of hats, and then let’s take a look at
what I have to say about the topic of hats.
The Hatless
It
wasn’t hard to know who to turn to to get some opinions about the benefits of
going hatless. Many of the consultants in Thursday morning Topics continue to
leave their heads exposed to the elements despite my not-so-gentle prodding
otherwise. Their reasons were as varied as the hats they could be wearing.
Fashion
Some
were worried about the effect hats may have on their appearance. Elliot was
honest. “My face just doesn’t look good with hats,” he said. Maggie seemed to
second the appearance-concerned sentiment: “If my hair is wet, I’m not putting
a hat on.”
Comfort
Comfort
was a priority for Bryonna, who put in her two cents, saying that “[hats] don’t
fit on my head.” Interestingly enough, Bryonna also had an argument in favor of
warm winter headgear, which we’ll look at further on.
Hoods
Jordan
provided a simple explanation for his lack of hat and lack of coat all in one
statement: “I wear a hood, and a sweatshirt keeps me warm enough.” Paige echoed
this argument, saying, “I also have a hood that’s insulated.” Are hoods an
adequate replacement for hats? These two consultants sure seem to think so. I
am still skeptical.
Fear?
A
lone voice piped up from the side of the room, raising a unique concern. “Hats
scare me,” Evan said.
These
argument, while valid, are not airtight. Let’s take a look at what Team Hat had
to say about all this.
Team Hat
It’s
important to note that not all the consultants in Thursday morning
Topics refused to cover their ears in the morning. While few and far between, there
were some consultants that sported hats to class and/or aligned themselves with
Team Hat.
Fashion
Taylor
arrived to class, a lovely hat sitting atop her head. I was, of course,
thrilled, and had to get her statement. She provided an exceptional explanation
as to the benefit of her hat:
“I came in wearing a hat because it’s cold outside,
and I would like to keep my ears warm. I also shower in the morning, and my
hair freezes, and the hat helps prevent that. It’s a little inconvenient
because it pushes my wet hair down against my scalp, but in the long run, it’s
worth it. Also, it’s a Harry Potter hat, so I want to flash it around.”
This statement speaks for
itself, of course, but let’s highlight one of the most important argument made.
Taylor chooses warmth over a perfect hairstyle. We all want to look great in
the winter, but is it worth freezing for? Taylor seems to think not, and I have
to agree. We lose body heat quickly when our skin is exposed to the chilly
winter air. Keep that melon wrapped up!
Myah, who was not wearing a hat, did have something
positive to contribute to the hat conversation. “I wore a hat yesterday,” she
said, “because it looked good with my outfit.” Hopefully this comment makes it
very clear that hats can be and so often are part of a cute and well
put-together outfit. Do yourself a fashion favor and add a warm winter hat to
your look.
Comfort
Bryonna, who originally argued in favor of the hatless,
came in later with a great argument for Team Hat – sort of. “I wear earmuffs,”
Bryonna said. She added that she is “allergic to the cold.” This of course
nullifies her original argument. If hats don’t fit your head, try a pair of
earmuffs or a cute knitted headband! While not quite as warm as a good ol’ hat,
they’ll do in a pinch!
Hoods
The argument that a hood is a respectable replacement for
a hat was particularly troubling to me. None of my classmates seemed to have a
comment on this line of reasoning. Fortunately, I do! “How many times have you
been walking with your hood up and the wind has knocked it down?” I question.
“Hats are snug. They won’t blow off your head, leaving you cold and alone right
when you need them the most.” So true! Hats will not forsake you
Fear?
So
what about the argument that hats are scary? Well, I think it’s best to let
some of the most recognizable icons of Team Hat speak for themselves.
If these hat-wearing cuties don't help you get over your fear of hats, I don't know what will.
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