The ribbons on a glengarry are never tied and I think the ribbons on the balmoral are optional (I have heard the story that a married man has his tied in a bow and a single man doesn't). I personally prefer to leave mine flowing free (great in a breeze), however they can be a nusance when I wear a coat as they get stuck in the collar and when I sit down (in the car for instance) it pulls the bonnet off the back of my head !