Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Monday, July 28. 2008

Neckties

There was a time when a gent would no more leave his house without a tie than a lady would leave the house without a hat. I showed up at a tennis team outdoor dinner-dance event at my club on Saturday night with jacket and tie. Not wishing to make everybody else there feel grievously under-dressed, I quickly removed my tie and stuck it in my pocket.

I am an old-fashioned believer in the idea that professionals should dress up a little bit. Even if it isn't entirely comfortable. And I still believe in wearing a tie to church - not that God cares, but simply as a sign of respect for the occasion.

From Neato, American Tie Guys Untie Their Own Association.

Brooks Brothers ties have been my mainstay since I was 10 years old, but I have been known to wear other brands when given to me as gifts. Brooks summer ties are on sale now, but I think I have enough to last me. Easy to find a new one to like, though.

Posted by The Barrister in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 11:40 | Comments (9) | Trackback (1)

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Whistle & flute
This morning its Friday & that means its dress down day in the office. Well let’s just say that the staff considers it to be dress down day. I however take a dim view of such modern practises & turn...
Weblog: FREE MARKET FAIRY TALES
Tracked: Jul 31, 21:58
The new trend
Casual business dress is passe (I don't know how to do an accent aigu on this machine). Learned this from the Wall St. kid of a friend this weekend. They were informed that, from now on, Business Formal is their required dress code.That's good for Brooks
Weblog: Maggie's Farm
Tracked: Sep 02, 08:59

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Once, after working a five day shift at a direct care program for troubled kids in Gray, Maine--24 hours a day duty--I drove the two hours down to Rye, New Hampshire and went to church. I walked in physically and emotionally spent, wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a plaid wool hunting jacket. I hadn't shaved once that week. When I sat down in the pew an old biddy took one look at my condition and glared at me. Now, just like Quint in Jaws refusing a life-jacket after living through the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, I refuse to dress up for church. We worship in spirit and in truth. A man kneels before the Lord in his heart.

I saw a production of T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral this weekend. Thomas Becket's agonizing fourth temptation nailed it--it's about pure motives for undertaking action. We worship in spirit and in truth.

I don't object to ties in church, only to disguises worn by the stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart. As for me and my house, we'll worship the Lord in whatever we happen to be wearing.
#1 jephnol (Link) on 2008-07-28 13:05 (Reply)
I'm fine with that. Just saying what I do.
#1.1 The B on 2008-07-28 13:43 (Reply)
I agree that a man should dress up, especially in church (and yes God does notice how much you respect him).
I wear a t-shirt most of the time, but there is a time and a place for everything. Nothing makes a man look more distinguished and respectable than a well made suit and a beautiful tie.
#1.1.1 Gentleman Joe (Link) on 2010-07-02 02:28 (Reply)
Barrister ... I'm in agreement with you, and so is my husband. Wearing proper clothing for an event, whether it's a coat and tie in church or a swimming suit at the beach shows respect for yourself and the occasion. My husband has always worn a jacket and tie when he flies anywhere. And he says that everyone on the staff of the airline seems to treat him a little more respectfully [although respect for others from anyone is getting very thin on the ground lately].

But jephnol, don't tar all of us old biddies with the same brush. If I'd been sitting next to you in church I would have been concerned for your health and well being, since you appeared so stressed and tired, and have shared my hymnbook with you -- and maybe some cookies at the church coffee afterward. You're right. We worship in spirit and in truth. And take care of each other, I hope.

Marianne
#2 Marianne Matthews on 2008-07-28 14:16 (Reply)
Marianne, I like you quite a bit.

B-- I hope you understand my comment was not a criticism. In the way of Becket, looking at his own motivations for martyrdom, I'm sure I could spend more than a little time looking at my own motivations (for far less grand occasions). Now you'll pardon me while I go mow the back-fourty and contemplate flicking the timbers from my eyes.
#2.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-07-28 14:50 (Reply)
A fleeing Taliban, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghanistan desert when he saw something far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he hurried toward the object, only to find a little old Jewish man at a small stand selling ties.

The Taliban asked, 'Do you have water?'

The Jewish man replied, 'I have no water. Would you like to buy a tie? They are only $5.'

The Taliban shouted, 'Idiot! I do not need an over-priced tie. I need water! I should kill you, but I must find water first!'

'OK,' said the old Jewish man,' it does not matter that you do not want to buy a tie and that you hate me. I will show you that I am bigger than that. If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles, you will find a lovely restaurant. It has all the ice cold water you need. Shalom.'

Muttering, the Taliban staggered away over the hill. Several hours later he staggered back, almost dead.

'Your f***ing brother won't let me in without a tie!'
#3 Phil on 2008-07-28 17:45 (Reply)
Penis necktie
http://frinko.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/penis_tie.jpg
#4 Deep Thinking on 2008-07-29 00:15 (Reply)
Try this, http://frinko.com/penis-neck-tie.html
#5 D T on 2008-07-29 00:21 (Reply)
Subtle, Deep Thinking.

Phil, good joke.

And the world revolves around what? The artful circle.

But then you managed to over work it... D T.

So... never mind on you.
#5.1 Carroll on 2008-07-29 00:34 (Reply)
Similarly, Barrister, I prefer three piece suits. If not, then double breasted. The two piece suits available now all look like club-fashions-for-geeks to me (not like, say, what Robert Culp would wear walking through Paris in I Spy). Unfortunately, both now seem hard to get, at least on my budget.

Truth in advertising disclaimer... I would enjoy walking around at home wearing a waistcoat like JRR Tolkien, just strange that way I guess...
#6 Jerub-baal (Link) on 2008-07-29 14:32 (Reply)

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