What non pretentious purpose does wearing a tie have?

Question

They seem like a leash and collar to me.

Answer 1

it wqas origianlly a type of napkin to catch the food spilt while eating, and was much wider, then became the cravat, worn as decoration and then the tie.

Answer 2

Our appearance makes a difference. For all we say " don't judge a book by its cover," we all do. One of the reasone Colombo is effective is because he looks incompetent, so the murderer is not on his guard as much. But if you needed a lawyer, you'd probably prefer one with a neat office and neat personal appearance and professional attitude to one with a messy office and unkempt appearance. You'd want your case to be well organized, and not have any points lost. A neat office indicates the lawyer can organize things, and cares enough to do so. It is thus an indicator of how he (she) will handle your case.

A professional appearance (including tie) indicates the wearer 1. is aware of professional expectations and meets them; 2. places professionalism above personal comfort; 3. is neat and clean (assuming the rest of his appearance is, in fact, neat and clean); by extension, he work is neat and clean. An employer is more likely to hire you because he will have fewer worries about you embarrassing him. As an employee, you represent the company and the boss.

Of course, a professional appearance can and often does mask an incompetent worker. You do well to look beyond the neat exterior. But it's rare that a slovenly appearance masks a professional worker.

A tie is part of all this.

To fit in.
To make your boss look good because he hires people who dress smart.
To make a good impression. This is not necessarily pretentious.
To show respect for others, especially at a formal occasion (some, such as weddings and funerals, are unavoidable).

Of course, if you're a cowboy, a tie might indeed be pretentious. I am not slamming cowboys here--it's just that they have little or no need to dress like lawyers!

If, however, you're going to your father-in-law's funeral, it would probably behoove you to gussy up to please your mother-in-law. If you didn't, she might feel you were disrespecting her late husband and be deeply hurt. I don't feel this is pretentious. If you think it is, perhaps you can say, "I'm doing this so I don't hurt someone else's feelings. Keeps peace in the family."

Answer 3

I think the original purpose was to hold the collar closed.

Answer 4

OK, but try getting a job in the city without one. It's all to do with being professional enough to make the effort to wear one. Kind of like a badge saying. 'I'm in your club'.

People wear uniforms in many jobs.

It's like saying 'why wear cuff links'?, it's because you look smart when you wear them, isn't it?

Originally they were to hold the shirt closed as buttons hadn't been invented. It stuck though.

Answer 5

It affects the way people relate to you. For some reason they seem to think you are "respectable" if you wear one, complete and utter tosh of course, but it DOES seem to work.

Answer 6

To start out the day with a noose around your neck

Answer 7

It keeps the tie-makers in business. Without ties, all they have to rely on for income are handkerchiefs. I'm buying a tie today, just to keep them out of the Unemployment lines.



(I'm not really buying one, just so that you know, I just wanted to keep them happy. Please don't tell them.)

Answer 8

I prefer to call them the yolk of the man. If you really think about it, they are stupid. Its like a piece of fabric tied around your neck for no reason.

Answer 9

remember back to the days of the "company store" for the miners?? it's the same principal ;o)

Answer 10

tying up the girl you're with in the hotel room after the party. :D