Who the fuck ever came up with the idea that we should wear some long, asphyxiation device around the neck just for the privilege of holding a “professional” job? Seriously, what purpose does it serve? Did it ever serve any purpose? Did some slaveholder in ages long gone by think it was a good idea to have leashes around the necks of his slaves?
This is a garment that ought to go the way of the dresses worn by aristocratic women of the Victorian era. It is time for the necktie to die!
:yawn:
Your collar is too tight, or your tie is. There should be no reason for you to “asphyxiate”.
I hate pants.
Vlad Tepes legislated a modified sash for the remaining nobles in his principality after he returned from his first exile. There were to be a quick way of hanging nobles, and make it clear that each noble in his realm was his servant and owed their lives to the throne. There aren’t any documented cases of Vlad actually using the sash for its intended purpose, but because the sash was not mentioned in any sumptary laws (which would regulate which social classes could wear what sort of decorative clothing) such sashes were quickly imitated by the upper mercantile classes within Wallachia.
Trade down the Danube brought these sashes into wider circulation where, among other things, they provided the inspiration for the Greek cravats brought back to England in the eighteenth century by seafarers. From there, they were picked up by the ton, and again were used by anyone trying to ape upper class fashions. This linkage to upper class positions was emphasized after the growing industrial revolution showed just how deadly loose clothing around the early machinery used in manufacturies. The first documented case of a tie-related fatality was in the Manchester Herald’s evening edition of Feb 18, 1831. A J. Carter had his cravat pulled into the shaft of the lathe he was working on, with “gruesomme” results.
It only took a few such incidents to make the cravat, and the later tie, both anathema for anyone working in the skilled trades, or on manufacturing lines. Which simply reinforced the utility of the tie as a social indica. Sumptuary laws may be a thing of the past, but class indica are eternal.
If pressed, the author may admit this whole post is simply barely plausible B.S. None of which changes the fact that ties are awful.
If you buy shirts with collars that actually fits you, this is not a problem at all.
Asphyxiation is just one of the risks associated with having a big boy job.
Or is it “a job where you’re trying to look like a big boy?”
I found it interesting that as I interviewed at ad agencies, the dress code got looser as I rose through the ranks. The account execs wore suits with almost the same “power tie”, the media directors wore sport coats but no tie, VPs and above wore whatever they wanted. A lot of polo shirts. One CEO showed up to our appointment with an old ripped t-shirt and wrinkled cargo pants.
Oh, yeah, the guys with suits and ties were always under thirty, trying so very hard to look sucessful, to “fit in”, to do and say nothing wrong. The joke was:
I was a Creative Supervisor (sometimes a sport coat, mostly for the pockets; always jeans; NEVER a tie).
Where else am I gonna wear a picture of Homer Simpson?
I love my neckties, many of which have pictures of dinosaurs on them.
This is the big thing. If I get the wrong collar size, it sucks wearing a tie. And it’s not really the tie, it’s buttoning up the collar that’s the problem. You don’t have to tie your tie so tight that you’re strangling yourself.
Then again, I had to wear a tie everyday in high school, so it’s not something that bugs me. I don’t consider ties particularly formal. It’s when you break out the suit that I start getting a bit uncomfortable.
I laughed. And not just silently in my head.
Thanks for that.
That’s really quite good (except for “gruesomme.” That spelling seems a little anachronistic for a periodical in 1831).
Do you suppose you could gin up a few “citations” and insert it into the wikipedia article on neckties?
FTR, Vlad Tepes predates the first necktie mentioned in the article by some 150 years, so you might be able to slip it in.
I agree with others who have commented on you most likely have an incorrect neck measurement in your dress shirts or your tie is pulled too tightly.
Whining about accepted business norms in attire only makes you look immature and unprepared for the realities of a “big boy” career/job.
MeanJoe
I used to hate ties too, until I had a 9-5 job for a while. Then ties became a chance, the only chance, to wear a little bit of color and to show off a little personality. Plus, ties are a great gift for the kids to give dad - cheap, colorful and unique. I wore the Star Wars tie, a couple of Disney ties and God knows how many variations over the years and nobody can tell me no. I get to feel like I’m sort of sticking to the man a little with my unconventional ties.
This is so sad. 
I feel the same way.
…nickel, nectar… gets devious look and glances around N-word! It was DEFINITELY an N-word! glances around with exaggerated casualness Klaatu! Barada! Necktie!
Sorry. The word “necktie” (versus just “tie”) is forever associated with that scene for me. 
Anyway, not a fan either; even a properly sized collar is more restriction than I care for around my neck. I get my individuality out with suspenders and cufflinks (I love my Millenium Falcon cufflinks!).
I have to admit I’m surprised by the attitude of many in this thread. Neckties are requirements for “big boy” jobs? What is this, the 50s? I go to work in a polo shirt and jeans (if the weather is warm), or a sweater and jeans (if the weather is cold). I’m mainly the median in terms of dressy-ness; some wear button-down shirts and slacks, some wear more casual attire. If I see a necktie it’s usually on someone here for a job interview.
Granted, I work in the tech industry, but this ain’t a five-guys-and-a-dog startup, here. Are ties really everyday attire for a lot of men who aren’t lawyers or car salesmen?
Haven’t worn a tie on a regular basis since the 80’s.
Fortunately for me, I no longer have to wear a tie at work and haven’t for a number of years. But about the shirt thing - unless I paid big money (which I didn’t have) to buy custom tailored shirts I always had to choose between shirts that fit through the shoulders and sleeves but were too small in the neck, or shirts that fit my neck but looked like a family of chimpanzees moved out elsewhere. I’m about 19.5" in the neck, 52" through the chest, with 34" sleeves. Try finding THAT in something ready-to-wear!
I’ll wear a tie if for an interview, presentation, wedding, or funeral. Other than that, I associate them with bad jobs I’ve had in the past. When a workplace jacks up the dress standard for non-customer facing roles, my suspicion is that the management is under pressure to improve performance but doesn’t know how. When a coworker starts wearing a tie day-to-day, my suspicion is that he wants a promotion and doesn’t know how to get it.