star wars - Do Mandalorians truly never remove their helmets?

In episode 3 of The Mandalorian, it is said that Mandalorians never remove their helmets for any reason. Really? Not even to sleep or bathe? Is there any canonical source for this idea? I’m going to assume that the “never” implies “Never removes their helmets in public…” right?

But in flashback scenes to the Mandalorian’s childhood, nobody is really pictured wearing Mandalorian armor let alone helmets. They simply seemed like basic humans who might just be unified by wearing maroon wardrobes all the time.

So what is the deal with this claim? What is the canonical context of the claim?

---

Looking for in-universe, canonical explanations; not armchair speculation and theories. If none (currently) exist, legends explanation would suffice. Regardless, please provide references and context.

Answer

The direct answer is Yes they do remove their helmets per previous visualizations of Mandalorians. Although in The Mandalorian they haven't doffed their helmets, nor fully explained why just yet.

It has been proven in previous shows, and even in The Mandalorian that they used to walk around without helmets on, or even armor for the most part.

In Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018), Sabine Wren is mostly seen without her helmet on, as are most of the Mandalorians in the show.

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) there are episodes involving the Siege of Mandalore. Although in this instance most of the Mandalorians are wearing their armor and helmets, there is a scene where Anakin is shown talking to a Mandalorian female without her helmet on. There are other scenes throughout the pretty long series depicting Manadlorians without their helmets on.

It is also assumed that Mandalorians at some point have to doff their armor and helmet in order to eat, bathe, etc. I think it is a general understanding that they only do that in the privacy of their homes and with people they trust their lives with.

Also due to the flashbacks of Din Djarin, you can conclude that wearing the armor at all times was not a custom before. I imagine we will get more information on this throughout the season.

Update: As you have probably seen in the latest episode, they DO in fact remove their helmets. Although we did not see the protagonists face, his helmet was off.