# Neckties! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 20, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353 "2013-11-20T16:24:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/21 "2013-11-20T21:23:15Z")
When I see a co-worker wearing a tie, I assume he has a job interview over lunch. If he came on late/is leaving early, that pretty much guarantees it is for an interview. Our dress code here pretty much says “Don’t wear anything offensive, torn or dirty”. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/22 "2013-11-20T21:28:06Z")
> [@BorgHunter](#): > > 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? You take \*\*Giraffe \*\*too seriously. The main objection to the OP is not his attitude towards neckties. You don’t like them or need to wear them? Fine. But, if you do have a job where you are expected to wear a tie, then buck up and buy a shirt with a collar that fits. The whining is annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/23 "2013-11-20T21:49:19Z")
A couple of years ago, our HR director mentioned to me that the only reason my boss wore a tie to work was because I did. I liked that. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/24 "2013-11-20T21:51:19Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Asphyxiation is just one of the risks associated with having a big boy job. I would think you’d be more sympathetic; ties must be a crippling expense for giraffes. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/25 "2013-11-20T23:59:25Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > :yawn: > > Your collar is too tight, or your tie is. There should be no reason for you to “asphyxiate”. True. One is supposed to stop pulling on the tie before cutting off oxygen. And bloodflow. Etc… ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/26 "2013-11-21T01:06:05Z")
That’s why I likes my bow ties. You can’t overtighten it (around your neck) once it’s tied, and if you pull it too tight at the beginning, you just pass out before you’re done tying. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/27 "2013-11-21T01:53:32Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > The main objection to the OP is not his attitude towards neckties. You don’t like them or need to wear them? Fine. But, if you do have a job where you are expected to wear a tie, then buck up and buy a shirt with a collar that fits. The whining is annoying. Yeah, really. > [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > Seriously, what purpose does it serve? It gives me something pretty to look at during meetings. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/28 "2013-11-21T13:35:10Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > 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! Well, when you gotta blow your nose, make sure you’re wearing a tie where it will fit in with the color scheme. Other than that, I agree with you. Ties serve no useful purpose whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/29 "2013-11-21T13:37:25Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > A couple of years ago, our HR director mentioned to me that the only reason my boss wore a tie to work was because I did. I liked that. Now, think about how you can use this power for Evil. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/30 "2013-11-21T13:37:40Z")
Decoration. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/31 "2013-11-21T13:43:26Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Haven’t worn a tie on a regular basis since the 80’s. Same here. Where does the OP work that neckties are still customary? ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/32 "2013-11-21T13:55:42Z")
I love ties, but hate dressing nicely enough that I don’t feel like a douche wearing one. I work in banking but on the tech side and in San Francisco so if I did actually wear a tie it would be perceived as either hipster affectation (we have a couple of those in the office) or a sign that I’m interviewing elsewhere (if I combined it with dress clothes). ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/33 "2013-11-21T13:56:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Same here. Where does the OP work that neckties are still customary? Even in loosey goosey San Francisco if you watch the streets downtown during the day you’ll see a lot of suits and ties. And everybody who works for my employer complains about having to go to the New York offices because they’ll have to wear suits. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/34 "2013-11-21T15:34:48Z")
It’s been so long since I wore a necktie that when I had to go to a funeral recently, I had to practice tying it several times before I got it right. And I had to borrow a suit coat, too. I thought a pallbearer wearing a _Spinal Tap_ T-Shirt would not have been appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/35 "2013-11-21T17:51:34Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > … I thought a pallbearer wearing a _Spinal Tap_ T-Shirt would not have been appreciated. You were so _wrong_! ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/36 "2013-11-21T18:45:56Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > It’s been so long since I wore a necktie that when I had to go to a funeral recently, I had to practice tying it several times before I got it right. And I had to borrow a suit coat, too. [This is the only proper knot for a funeral](http://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2013/10/2013-10-05-miskatonic_knot_guide-530x647.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/37 "2013-11-21T19:28:48Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > 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? Move to Silicon Valley. My billionaire CEO was famous for hating ties, and for only agreeing to wear one when meeting with the head of a large country. Since I’ve been here people have stopped wearing ties when presenting at conferences, and even lots of sales guys who visit us have given up on them. While finance guys and lawyers in San Francisco wear ties, I bet not many people working at Twitter do. No tie = more blood to the brain = more creativity. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/38 "2013-11-21T20:09:46Z")
But if you don’t wear a tie, you don’t have an opportunity to pull out the knot and look ruggedly rumpled by 5pm. It’s a great esthetic 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/39 "2013-11-21T20:18:20Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > 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! You are wearing it wrong. You also have on the wrong shirt. I blame not you but the stores you shop at and/or the tailors you employ. More than that I blame America. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353/40 "2013-11-21T20:42:58Z")
I do training classes for groups, smallest around 10, largest up to 700 or so. I always dress one notch higher than the male members of my audience. If they are mostly in shirtsleeves, I’m wearing a jacket. If they are mostly wearing jackets, I’m wearing a tie. If they are mostly wearing a tie, I’m wearing a suit, and likely french cuffs. etc. etc. I like wearing ties, it’s a chance to show off good taste. I have some damn nice ties. OP, get the right size shirt. Lots of online places to buy excellent quality shirts in whatever collar/sleeve/cut combination you need. Google Charles Tyrwhitt for an example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neckties/674353.md?page=3)