Men just don’t wear ties as often as they used to

I recently read that the necktie is the most uncomfortable thing for a man to wear. However, I enjoy wearing neckties. I think it comes from having been a teacher for 36 years. I probably went to school on only a handful of days without wearing a tie, and even though I am now retired, I still have all of those ties, plus many new ones. I also have novelty ties that my wife made for special school events.

The necktie originated in the 17th century during the 30-Years War in France. Soldiers wore a piece of cloth around their neck as part of their uniform. This cloth gradually changed to a cravat and then evolved into our current necktie style.

When I attend church or go to our bank or meet with our insurance agents or other professional men, rarely are any of them wearing a tie. It seems casual dress is now acceptable for just about every situation and profession.

Perhaps my fixation with neckties is yet another reason I enjoy The Andy Griffith Show. In Mayberry, men wear suits and ties all the time. Andy and Barney would never go on a date without wearing a suit and tie. Barney even wore his salt and pepper suit whenever he went to Thelma Lou’s to watch television. Andy wore a suit when he took Helen to the movies, and even Otis Campbell, the town drunk, changed into a suit every day after work.

Andy always made sure Opie wore a suit for special occasions. Whenever someone special came to dinner, both Opie and Andy put on their suits. When Opie went to a birthday party, he wore his suit. Opie even had to wear a suit when he went to the Raleigh Public Library. One time the Taylors and Goober took a trip to Raleigh wearing dark suits while riding in a convertible with the top down on a hot summer day. Now I realize that casual wear is more comfortable and much easier to care for, but I am fortunate to have a wife who doesn’t mind washing and ironing dress shirts. I guess she enjoys being seen with a snappy dresser. I am by nature a traditionalist, so I will continue to wear my ties and suits even though I will be in the minority.

Ken Anderson, the “Mayberry Guru,” can be reached at themayberryguru@gmail.com and www.themayberryguru. com

BE OUR

G UEST

KEN ANDERSON “THE MAYBERRY GURU”