Why Lincoln Tipped His Hat

A gentleman is courteous and considerate of everyone who crosses his path, if that is possibe, and that includes those who are in no position to do him any good. When Abraham Lincoln was asked why he would tip his hat to a man who was a disreputable bum and no gentleman Lincoln replied "because I am".
If someone is rude to waiters, barbers and the like I know that he would just as soon be rude to me if it served his purposes.