Business monthly January 05   LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FEATURE EXECUTIVE LIFE VIEWPOINT REPORTS SUBSCRIPTION FORM ROUND UP FOLLOW UP ADVERTISING RATES MARKET WATCH FEATURE Search Business Monthly | Back Issues

THE EXECUTIVE LIFE
Neck Lines	Lingo Bingo	Musical Chairs	Restaurant Review

What your tie says about you

One of the businessman’s most significant daily tasks is the selection of his tie. After all, as Victorian aesthete Oscar Wilde wrote, “A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.” While the inherent gravity of the time-honored neckware is easily exaggerated, one’s choice of color and pattern can – knowingly or not – project an image, be it one of confidence, sensitivity or passive dignity.

Although the origins of the necktie are disputed, most believe the tradition dates back to the 16th century. One theory suggests that devastating plagues in Europe, supposedly transmitted via the throat, prompted men to cover their necks. Other hypotheses – based, perhaps, on the male penchant for sex and violence – range from ties-as-body-armor to ties-as-phallic-symbols. Perhaps the most authoritative theory posits the necktie as a Croatian invention, suggesting that the Arabic word for tie – karavata, from the French cravat – was originally a perversion of the word “Croat.”
Not only is the origin of the tie uncertain – its very purpose has become obscure. Some say they’re meant to conceal unsightly shirt buttons; others, that they’re meant to catch food, bib-like; others still say they serve to create the illusion of greater height, playing on one of man’s most common insecurities.

Whatever their purpose, though, ties – and their multifarious colors and patterns – have come to take on meanings of their own. Therefore, it’s best to know, before you ritualistically wrap that bit of cloth round your throat, just what signal you’re sending.

Solids
Although the solid tie is a classic, one could argue it’s undergone a recent renaissance in terms of color. Bold oranges, rich greens and loud fuchsias grace the necks of movies stars and diplomats, conveying a more liberal message, but in the same sophisticated terms as their red and blue cousins. Worn with a gray or charcoal suit, such ties are considerably handsome, and radiate confidence.

One need only remember the debates at the UN, just prior to the war in Iraq, where such high-profile personalities as atomic energy czar Mohamed ElBaradei and celebrated weapons inspector Hans Blix showcased a series of bold solids.

Red
Red traditionally evokes sentiments of love, anger, courage and passion, and is most commonly worn by men striving for power and success. The notorious “power tie,” made famous in the heady days of the ’90s tech boom, can usually be found around the necks of statesmen, Wall Street bankers and corporate chairmen. Chances are it will be solid in tone or bear subtle diagonal stripes. While such ties may appear devoid of personality, they can – in tandem with the right suit – also convey importance and gravity.

Blue
The blue solid relays a similar message to the red, but with a little less intensity. Darker blues, in particular, have always signified dignity and poise (it is, after all, the color of royalty). The perfect color for meeting potential clients or partners for the first time, blue projects the same paternal wisdom as red, albeit in more modest terms.

In recent years, lighter shades – such as “sky blue” and “baby blue” – have also proven successful in achieving an image of laid-back assertiveness. Chic and elegant, light blues are a common choice among right-wing presidents and prime ministers striving to appear more accessible. Even such uncompromising leaders as US president George W. Bush, Israeli premier Ariel Sharon and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi are now often seen sporting crisper, lighter shades of blue.

Yellow
The power tie of yesteryear, yellow can be a good choice when hoping to express honesty and sincerity, according to psychologists. The color comes highly recommended for job interviews and court appearances. The traditional association of yellow with cowardice, meanwhile, seems to be confined to the more conservative regions of the American Southwest.

Patterns
Ties laden with checks, stripes or polka dots of flamboyant color are generally preferred by advertising execs and marketers, expressing creativity and flare. Graphic designers, engineers and architects tend to choose similar ties, only a little more ordered and subtle, reflecting the nature of their callings. These ties tend to have small checks or uni-colored stripes running in a single direction.

Florals and paisleys
These ties – traditionally scorned for being overly feminine – scream sensitivity, and are often worn by artists or academics. They are probably best suited for professions dealing with children or the elderly, where less intimidating demeanors are required. On the other hand, animal, car or sport motifs are probably best left for the weekend.

So no matter how deep your scorn for the daily mock-strangulation rite, take a minute to decide the image you want to project. The tie you select speaks louder than words.

Cherif Barakat

Submit your comment

Top