To Tie or Not To Tie
Some people out there think ties make you look sharp. Other people think ties are sexy. Still other people think ties resemble nooses and are uncomfortable to boot. There are a lot of different opinions out there about ties. But I feel there is one equation that no one can dispute:
Wearing a tie=Dressing up=Looking professional
In my book, dressing up should be a requirement for anyone who works in a service industry. If you work with people, you need to look presentable. The person selling you a used car more than likely will be wearing tie. Is his job more important than teaching? If you are a teacher who doesn't "believe in ties," your outfit indicates that it is.
Those in the anti-tie camp may say, "I'm not trying to sell anything. I'm trying to teach. How does a tie help me do that?" First of all, you are trying to sell something. You're selling an image of yourself as a competent professional. A Scooby Doo shirt does not sell this image. A tie, if paired with a collared shirt and ironed slacks, does.
A tie does not inherently make you a better teacher, just as a magic feather did not really make Dumbo fly. But a tie sends the message that you are successful and competent, which in turn makes you feel more successful and competent. If you wear a tie, you will stand out from your kids, many of whom may be your size or larger. And, perhaps the biggest benefit, your students will treat you with more professional courtesy if they believe you are a professional and not just a slob with a teaching degree.
Teachers have an extremely important job, but you would not know that looking at the way some male teachers dress. While many of their students invest heavily in their wardrobes, teachers often look frumpish by comparison. Do you want your students to respect you? Then take a page from the entertainers and athletes whom they revere: style commands respect. If your students do not respect your clothes, then it is unlikely they will respect you. Clothes may not make the man, but you are foolish if you do not see at least a grain of truth in that maxim.
Ties may be a mark of the wealthy class, but you do not need to be wealthy to wear a tie. Many thrift stores sell ties for under a dollar, and Walmart offers many ties for under $15. If you are too proud to shop at a thrift store or Walmart for your clothes, then you are getting into the wrong profession in the first place. The point is this: ties are available to you, ties show you care about yourself and your position, and ties make your job a little bit easier. If you are a teacher who just "isn't a tie guy," you can still dress professionally, and I sincerely hope you do. But if you want to go that extra mile to look successful in the eyes of your students and co-workers, you might start by making a trip to Tie-land. It is an easy way to show your professionalism without saying a word.
Wearing a tie=Dressing up=Looking professional
In my book, dressing up should be a requirement for anyone who works in a service industry. If you work with people, you need to look presentable. The person selling you a used car more than likely will be wearing tie. Is his job more important than teaching? If you are a teacher who doesn't "believe in ties," your outfit indicates that it is.
Those in the anti-tie camp may say, "I'm not trying to sell anything. I'm trying to teach. How does a tie help me do that?" First of all, you are trying to sell something. You're selling an image of yourself as a competent professional. A Scooby Doo shirt does not sell this image. A tie, if paired with a collared shirt and ironed slacks, does.
A tie does not inherently make you a better teacher, just as a magic feather did not really make Dumbo fly. But a tie sends the message that you are successful and competent, which in turn makes you feel more successful and competent. If you wear a tie, you will stand out from your kids, many of whom may be your size or larger. And, perhaps the biggest benefit, your students will treat you with more professional courtesy if they believe you are a professional and not just a slob with a teaching degree.
Teachers have an extremely important job, but you would not know that looking at the way some male teachers dress. While many of their students invest heavily in their wardrobes, teachers often look frumpish by comparison. Do you want your students to respect you? Then take a page from the entertainers and athletes whom they revere: style commands respect. If your students do not respect your clothes, then it is unlikely they will respect you. Clothes may not make the man, but you are foolish if you do not see at least a grain of truth in that maxim.
Ties may be a mark of the wealthy class, but you do not need to be wealthy to wear a tie. Many thrift stores sell ties for under a dollar, and Walmart offers many ties for under $15. If you are too proud to shop at a thrift store or Walmart for your clothes, then you are getting into the wrong profession in the first place. The point is this: ties are available to you, ties show you care about yourself and your position, and ties make your job a little bit easier. If you are a teacher who just "isn't a tie guy," you can still dress professionally, and I sincerely hope you do. But if you want to go that extra mile to look successful in the eyes of your students and co-workers, you might start by making a trip to Tie-land. It is an easy way to show your professionalism without saying a word.
posted by Joel Hebert at 11:25 AM
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