Tartan Day in Balboa Park, San Diego

[Jock Scot]

(apologies in advance if this turns out to be a duplicate)

Jock, I hope you'll accept what follows as light-hearted in intent, rather than in any way accusatory. My previous activity here has concentrated on bemoaning the disappearance of the necktie from the American scene while expressing fondness for the device in British dress. When a necktie IS worn in the Colonies, it's often done so either carelessly: just witness the crimson neckwear of our own president, which typically extends halfway to his own knees. But, as to your post:

1. Although my own post-high-school educational institutions (Trinity College, CT and Yale University) are mere infants compared to those in Edinburgh and Glasgow, they seem to have fallen victim quickly to the effervescence of fashion in the US. When I was a student, sequentially at each, 5 decades ago, athletic mascot neckties were readily available at the bookstores of each, but NEITHER bothers to try to sell them today.
2. I suspect you may have fallen victim to an "attack of the AI merchants" or spell checkers in your own post in your suggestion that we "bare in mind" (which carries some rather gruesome anatomic consequences).

Before you rebuke me, I'll confess to a much worse battle with my own keyboard just a day ago. A very close friend has just learned and informed me he has a dangerous but hopefully treatable/curable malignancy. I have a second close friend who is a world-renowned oncologist. I appealed to friend #2 for some advice for friend #1 yesterday. He promptly replied that his training had NOT qualified him to answer my query, in which I had stated that friend #1 was having his "wide excision" surgery within the week. However, a slip of the finger had produced a question that asked about "wife excision" surgery.

Oh don’t worry, basically I can’t spell! Never could.

[AFS1970]

I agree with tie etiquette, but there is probably a bit of a grey area. On my one trip across the pond, while in London, I went to a museum for St. John's Ambulance. Had a lovely chat with their Chief of Operations. They were selling a tie for their chivalric order in the gift shop. I didn't buy it, for the very reason that I didn't think it was right, but clearly the order had no problem with it being out there.

[NHhighlander]

Tie Etiquette.

I know it sounds a tad old fashioned, but there is a certain amount of tie etiquette to bare in mind. Particularly, I think, within the UK. But I think it is worth others from outwith the UK and The Commonwealth, having a gentle heads-up too.

Basically, with Old School, University/College, Club, and Regimental/Unit ties, it is very bad form to wear one if you are not entitled to it.

My Dad would call you a friend.

Hmm, makes me think, I should look for that very obscure tie from the national Rugby annual championship that the team that I coached won the very last time the competition took place, waaaaay back when (and as a result of the organizing body dissolving, the trophy that was supposed to go to the next team to win the following year never was needed again, and lives a sad existence now in my basement. What a shame.)