Glad to see this thread going downhill fast!

I believe that the original post was about the definition of "black tie" -- regardless of whether one ever attends such events or what one thinks of them.

This site (www.blacktieguide.com) has been cited previously on X Marks and, IMHO, provides an excellent overview of what "black tie" actually entails -- in both "classic" and "contemporary" interpretations.

I concur that when one chooses to attend a "black tie" event, it behooves one to conform more or less to the social standard. If one wouldn't be caught dead at such a shindig -- or never has the occasion to attend -- then the social conventions pertaining thereto are a moot point.