some questions for jews

[jdl22]

I just moved to a jewish neighborhood here in Pittsburgh and I have a few questions about judaism.

1. What's with the hats? There's the yamukah (sp?) that a lot of people wear, especially the younger guys and theres also what looks to be a late 19th century dress hat. What's the significance of these? Is there some sort of age where you switch?

2. Similarly, a lot of jewish people here are very well dressed but their clothing looks extremely old fashioned. Is there any reason for that? Also it seems that a disproportionally high number of jewish women wear skirts.

3. The last appearance question concerns the beard. Seems most of these guys with the hats mentioned in question one have a huge beard. Is there some significance there? They also seem to be fairly scraggly as if they aren't trimmed at all.

4. Where are people going on Friday night and Saturday morning? From what little I know this is the sabbath. What does one do then? What can't you do?