# I hate neckties **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 28, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416 "2018-08-28T17:20:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/21 "2018-08-28T22:31:34Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > (and anyone who thinks they are uncomfortable is probably buying their shirts with too small a neck size) You may be right. I don’t think you _are,_ but you might be. But should it even be a question? If a woman says she gets awful headaches every time her husband smacks her upside the head, it’s admittedly possible that one of those facts is unrelated to the other — but why _ask?_ Isn’t the whole point that a scenario where we _could_ ask that question is already disturbing? ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/22 "2018-08-28T22:34:54Z")
I will have to preface my OP (what is the opposite of preface anyway?) by saying I spent 25-30 years in the the corporate world, mostly in IT, but had to the meet with the big-wigs and their overlords daily so suit and tie was a must. Now that retirement is here, I have donated all my suits, ties, dress shirts to the Salvation Army. I am sure the gently-worn items will be put to good use. Oh, and I haven’t shaved my face in over a month. I am turning Bohemian! Ladies, go ahead and chime in about workplace fashion. This started off as a diatribe against neckties, but I am sure you all have similar annoyances. -Cabin\_Fever in a comfortable T-shirt, cotton camo pants, wool socks, no shoes and sitting on the porch glad I can wake up late anytime tomorrow. PEACE. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2018, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/23 "2018-08-28T22:53:33Z")
I have worn ties perhaps a dozen times since 1964. Several weddings (including my own), when I was made emeritus, and a few other occasions. The suit my wife insisted I buy for my daughter’s wedding has probably been worn once since and is now way too large. I think Trump’s penis length ties will be the final nail in the tie coffin. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/24 "2018-08-29T01:30:30Z")
Lots of folks don’t like wearing ties. Nothing wrong with casual clothes. But I think ties can look very stylish, and I don’t mind wearing them. I prefer a mix of casual and more formal clothes; jeans and jacket, maybe a tie. For years, it was said by men’s magazines and fashionistas that men were returning to a more formal look. And of course, that never really happened. Sixty years ago, in many places, men didn’t really wear shorts or T-shirts. And the more casual outfits in today’s GQ type magazine often look pretty ridiculous — neither professional nor stylish. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/25 "2018-08-29T03:47:36Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > You may be right. I don’t think you _are,_ but you might be. > > But should it even be a question? If a woman says she gets awful headaches every time her husband smacks her upside the head, it’s admittedly possible that one of those facts is unrelated to the other — but why _ask?_ Isn’t the whole point that a scenario where we _could_ ask that question is already disturbing? As a long-time tie wearer I can attest that Tim is correct. It’s easily demonstrated by putting on a tie while wearing a t-shirt (aah, the days of school dances). You _can_ cinch the tie too tight, but it takes a deliberate effort and will loosen up with just a little head and neck movement. A better analogy would be if a woman says she gets awful headaches every time she watches Magic Mike, when her husband smacks her upside the head when she watches it. ---
**Author:** ![Sloe\_Moe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/26 "2018-08-29T03:57:13Z")
Never a coat without a necktie for me. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/27 "2018-08-29T04:33:34Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Lots of folks don’t like wearing ties. Nothing wrong with casual clothes. But I think ties can look very stylish, and I don’t mind wearing them. I prefer a mix of casual and more formal clothes; jeans and jacket, maybe a tie. > > For years, it was said by men’s magazines and fashionistas that men were returning to a more formal look. And of course, that never really happened. Sixty years ago, in many places, men didn’t really wear shorts or T-shirts. And the more casual outfits in today’s GQ type magazine often look pretty ridiculous — neither professional nor stylish. I am not reacting against style, in which a finely tailored suit looks good. I am just glad I don’t have to do that everyday, anymore. Although the advice of the wonderful ladies here may have changed my mind. I may have to change my thoughts, but here in Upper Michigan a suit and tie means you are with \*\*\* or \*\*\*\* or \*\*\*\*\*. 🙂 I think I will keep my Hawaiian shirt, my cargo pants, my hospital socks (another story) at least for another week. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/28 "2018-08-29T04:40:35Z")
I’m short, and when teaching high schoolers, who were invariably much taller than I, I needed every advantage I could get, so I usually wore heals and a dress or suit. Pantyhose is an abomination. I loathe it. Thigh-high stockings were better. I always thought men had it worse in summer weather, though. There’s no way you can’t feel like you’re strangling if you’re wearing a suit jacket and a tie in 90 degree weather. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/29 "2018-08-29T07:08:32Z")
Eh, I had to wear a tie for 5 years at school. A girls’ school. I have no idea why many British girls’ school uniforms include a tie, seeing as that’s the only time you’re ever likely to have to wear one. Bloody stupid idea in woodshop and chemistry class especially. The good thing about women’s workplace clothing is it’s less fixed. I’ve never had to wear heels, which is good, because I walk like a newborn giraffe in them. The _bad_ thing about it being less fixed is that there’s a certain expectation that you should have more different outfits than I really care to bother with, and they’re all supposed to look put together. Women notice if other women wear the same thing all the time. Annoying and expensive if you don’t really care about clothes. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/30 "2018-08-29T08:39:23Z")
Another reason to hate ties is they kill people. There have been deaths from men’s ties getting stuck in machinery; elevator doors, escalator mechanisms, etc. I read an account written by the manager of a machine shop. Some tie-wearing execs took a walk-through of his shop, and he warned them to keep distance from the tools. Minutes later, one of them leaned over a running lathe. It grabbed his tie, and would have pulled his neck into the bit, but the tie came off—it was a clip on. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/31 "2018-08-29T09:00:38Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I always wear a tie to work - I am the only one in the office who does, but I don’t intend to stop - wearing a tie reminds me I am at work - taking it off at the end of the day is a specific activity that I mentally associate with going off duty. > > Also, it makes for funny dynamics sometimes - I was in a meeting with a bunch of colleagues and a collection of suppliers one time - I was the most junior person in the room, but people kept looking at me when there was a decision to be made, because I was the only one wearing a tie. “Being at work” reminds me I am at work. Neckties are a prime example of peop,e doing something “because we’ve always done it.” I wouldn’t mind seeing ties exterminated. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/32 "2018-08-29T09:53:05Z")
I have never been in an industry where ties were a part of the uniform. Briefly I had a boss who requested I wore one, which I did, but that only lasted six weeks before even he got sick of them (and embarrassed for me) so that was that, never have I worn one since. I acknowledge that they do seem to make a person look neat and tidy, but they are completely weird items of clothing. I would be very happy if fashion moved away from suits and into some other method of formal tidiness. When do we get the silver jumpsuits with big belt buckles and pointy shoulders? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/33 "2018-08-29T10:55:09Z")
There was a point, mid-career, when I realised I could shimmy sideways and make more money if I wore a tie and flew a desk. Guess what I did? That was then. Nowadays less so, I would guess. But hey, what are your priorities? If a friend dies, I’ll have to wear a tie to the funeral; but actually, in that situation, it isn’t the tie-wearing that will upset me. j ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/34 "2018-08-29T11:28:58Z")
I like how ties look, most of the time. My dad wore them, so it was an easy Christmas/birthday/Father’s Day gift idea. But in reality, they serve no practical purpose beyond fulfilling an expectation. I think my husband still owns a few - last time he needed one was a wedding 2 years ago. I put them in the same category as high heeled pumps or dresses or most jewelry - each to his own, but I don’t want to play that game. I can get all dressed up if I have to, but I pretty much never have to, so it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/35 "2018-08-29T11:59:48Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > A better analogy would be if a woman says she gets awful headaches every time she watches Magic Mike, when her husband smacks her upside the head when she watches it. I thought a better analogy would be a woman who complains that her feet hurt whenever she wears heels—but she always buys shoes that are a size or two too small for her. But hey, if you want to demonize ties, we can always point out [who else wore ties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler#/media/File:Hitler_portrait_crop.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/36 "2018-08-29T12:28:31Z")
I wore a tie for a decent chunk of my life. I got them as gifts, bought them new and used, and over time built up a huge tie collection. Then about fifteen years ago I decided that was it. I put them all in a big lawn garbage bag and took them to Goodwill. A year later I did the same with the three suits I owned (one had never been worn). I very rarely “do” funerals. Weddings I go full out luau style. Hunter Thompson got away with it, why can’t I? To date I’ve never been tossed out of an event for being underdressed. I’ll be attending my son’s wedding in September; coincidentally it is a beach wedding, so I’m good to go. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/37 "2018-08-29T13:40:12Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I think Trump’s penis length ties will be the final nail in the tie coffin. Sorry, I have to ask. Are you referring to ties worn by Trump that are the length of a penis, or to ties the length of Trump’s penis? There’s a big difference you know 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/38 "2018-08-29T14:07:04Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Hardly anyone in Silicon Valley wears them, except lawyers and bankers. Salesmen stopped maybe 10 years ago. Now people giving talks at conferences don’t either. Yea, but they have to wear [vests instead](https://www.racked.com/2018/7/30/17630246/uniqlo-vending-machine-sfo) ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/39 "2018-08-29T14:49:37Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Everyone wonders what the heck you are up to (job interview, maybe?). The running joke in my office is whenever someone shows up wearing a tie the first question asked is “court date or job interview?” ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416/40 "2018-08-29T17:14:49Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > Me? Hawaii shirt, short camo pants, slip-on shoes. I am good to go. I like your style, Dude. Want a White Russian? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-neckties/820416.md?page=3)