TIE BREAKER

For many years I believed the necktie descended from the bib used to keep a person's food from staining their clothing.  Seemed logical to me and besides what other reason would a person have for knowingly tying a piece of bright cloth around their neck over the top of their clothing? 

RecentlyI did some light research and discovered that the use of cloth tied around a man's neck for decoration began in the 17th century.  It had nothing to do with being a bib, but occurred when Croatian mercenaries hired into French service wore their traditional small knotted neckerchiefs into Paris. The French called them cravats and, when Louis the XIV accepted them as fashion worthy the rest of mankind were doomed to adorn themselves with neckties forever after.


Considering the fact that neckties choke, chaff and  get in the way when you're trying to brush your teeth, use the restroom, or do any kind of physical activity it is beyond me how they have managed to remain a viable fashion item for so long. Indeed, in some circles appearing without a necktie is an unthinkable, down right heinous social faux pas. 

I have over the years found or thought of several positive uses for neckties that make their existence somewhat less aggravating. The following is a short list:


1. Cleaning your eye glasses. (Be sure to use the side of the tie that is not visible)

2. While amusing a young child you can roll the tie beginning at the bottom like you would roll up a sleeping bag and then hold the rolled up tie under your chin.  When the child pushes one of the buttons of your shirt you release the rolled up tie and it flops back down into place.  

3. You can use it to dry wet knives and forks.

4. You could use it to save someone from drowning.

5. You could use it to form a zip line so you could slide from building to building using telephone lines like spies in the movies do.

6. It can indeed be used as a bib or a napkin.

I'm sure there are many other uses but I can't think of anything right now.  Maybe you could?