DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I were attending a college production of “HMS Pinafore.” A student was sitting directly in front of me wearing a white baseball cap.

I could tell the hat was going to detract from my pleasure in the show, so I asked the young man, “Would you mind removing your hat? It is a bit of a distraction.” He complied, and I thoroughly enjoyed the play.

The next day, my wife informed me that she had been embarrassed by my behavior, that I was in the wrong, and that wearing a hat in the situation was routinely accepted in today’s society.

Am I an incorrigible antique, or was she right?

GENTLE READER: An incorrigible antique herself, Miss Manners agrees with you, and maintains that baseball hats should not be worn inside anything other than a stadium. The argument that it is now routinely accepted does not move her.

But the fact that the student politely complied should be more important than your wife’s objection. If he was not upset or embarrassed, why should she be?

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.