Concerning neckwear

[Father Bill]

I have always considered proper dress to be a sign of respect which I very much appreciate. The marvellous whiskers are a matter of personal taste which I receive as absolutely none of my business and doesn't bother me at all. In the church, we welcome everyone regardless of dress, so long as it isn't sexually provocative (bikinis for example) In the school it was more political, but regardless, ties were not de rigeur in either setting for staff or anyone.

Having blathered on about all that, Obviously, I no longer wear a tie. (See my profile if that's confusing.)

[Biathlonman]

When I'm in jeans, "technical wear", or ski clothes I just blend into the background. We all do. Put a tie on and people look at you differently. If downtown in the big city I live in, I've seen confused tourists ignore dozens of blue-jeaned, open-collared passersby by just so they could approach me, the guy with the tie - who, they presume, will not threaten them and will be able to answer their question. Same in stores - walk in without a tie: one level of service. With? Better service because you appear just a bit more substantial than the tieless hoi polloi.
Is this fair? Sensible? Not at all. Even in kilt and the most disreputable Barbour jacket you have ever seen, a tie can save you, and gets you just a bit more respect. Will put this to the test trying to get a drink on St Paddy's tomorrow. Once inside, I can always take it off. Will also tuck a tin whistle into a pocket and if need be, say I'm with the band.

[Mike_Oettle]

Cajunscot wrote: “I wish Ms Ellerbee would meet me first before judging my intelligence based only my wardrobe choice. Not a very open-minded attitude, INMHO.

“Freedom – to wear neckties and kilts!”

Couldn’t agree more.
I don’t generally wear a tie to work, but I almost invariably wear one to church. And since I work on Sunday nights, I often wear the same tie to the office.
Regards,
Mike