This has been on my mind because I'm wearing an eye patch 70% of the time, also a woolly hat to keep my poor scalp warm in the freezey cold. It's quite a sight, I can tell you. Eye patch goes on first, then hat, then specs. Then my piece de resistance - a buff worn around my neck so I can pull it up overcky up to my nose like vintage Smiffy from the Bash Street Kids. (He's changed his look these days, not nearly so good)
Anyway, back to the rules.
There I am, tucked into my pit on the sofa in the back room, blankie over my legs, beautifully accessorised cat on my lap and matching cushion under my head, when someone knocks at the door. Bloody buggery. Throw blankie and cat to the floor, furniture surf my way to the door. Get there and stop. Something in my head says "it's very rude to answer the door with a hat on. It's even WORSE to answer it wearing a hat and an eye patch, with specs perched on the end of your nose".
Now where the hell did that internal rule come from?
I have some I can completely understand - it's not done to eat in the street, for example. No idea who told me that, possibly a grandparent, but it has stuck with me and, unless it's a total emergency, I still won't eat in the street.
But who the hell would have told me it's not polite to answer the door wearing a woolly hat, an eye patch and specs on top?
Who would have had the imagination to a) think of me in the future regularly wearing such an eye accessory and b) think it not the done thing to wear it when greeting visitors?
