Do a shirt and tie command respect?
By hdjohnson
@hdjohnson (2981)
United States
August 5, 2009 6:09pm CST
I have to wear a shirt and tie to work everyday, it's not my preferred choice, but sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do in order to get things you don't have, but want to get, right?
Anyway, well over the years, my wardrobe has changed drastically. Before I got married, I used to have lots of jeans, sweatsuits and short combination outfits. Now that I'm married, I have more suits, and dress shirts and dress pants. A lot of times when it's casual day at our job, meaning you can wear jeans. I discovered that I don't even own one (1) pair of jeans anymore. So I just wear a polo shirt and some casual khakis.
Sorry about the rabbit trail, back to the subject. Whenever I am out and about like at the local grocery store or malls. This happens rather frequent which is why I bring it up. Other customers will look at me in an aisle and ask me, where is such and such as though I am one of the managers in that particular business. It used to annoy me after a while, I had gotten used to it and now it's simply water off a duck's back. So instead of dressing up for halloween as BATMAN or SUPERMAN, and get to dress up everyday as business manager of whatever establishment I am away from home.
Why is that? Does my shirt and tie make others think that I have some super authority to help them in whatever dilemma they have gotten themselves into? Or do I have a hidden sign over my forehead that broadcasts "ask him, he can help?"
I was really wondering about this today, so I decided to write up a post, to get some of my friends responses; what do you say?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@grundmang (112)
• Israel
6 Aug 09
well indeed. we are programmed to judge someone by the way e looks. this guy is strong and that one is stupied and a tie makes people see you as someone they should respect....
1 person likes this
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
6 Aug 09
Personally I like a guy in a shirt, tie and slacks. But to the discussion, appearance is the issue, and yes, like another post above me, you must show some kind of confidence you are putting out there.
For respect, well yes, you will dressed that way, just like women do when they wear a dress and high heels.
Not sure why you had to get rid of your jeans or you don't just go and buy a pair, but that is up to you. Wearing a polo shirt with khaki's is fine too for casual wear.
As far as for halloween, go as Superman, it is obvious you get a lot of respect.
SMILES
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
6 Aug 09
ROFL @ As far as for halloween, go as Superman, it is obvious you get a lot of respect. SMILES
I really don't know what happened to my jeans either. I really don't miss them though. I take the superman idea into consideration, I already have a t-shirt that my kids bought me entitled "SUPER DAD."
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
6 Aug 09
A suit and a tie do garner some respect from others, yes. As for the stores and such, perhaps they think you are the manager and can help them. Sometimes it may just be the look on your face, confident and serious that makes people think you work there and can help them 
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
6 Aug 09
Wow, thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it and didn't really think of it in that manner. I normally carry a rather serious look on my face, so I can see how that can be considered as confidence, LoL! 
@vkondrad (47)
• United States
6 Aug 09
I think it depends on the situation ... I can see where people might think you know more than they do but in my industry (Senior Health Insurance) I think that if a agent dresses up too much then they aren't trusted as much. I tend not to trust people who dress in shirt and tie as they are usually sales people and most sales people that I know of aren't trustworthy, honest or have another agenda.
1 person likes this
@smellytrampsfeet (146)
•
6 Aug 09
a shirt and tie to command respect while it does not deserve respect. it is the person in the clothes that should earn the respect. like the saying a wolf in sheeps clothing you cannot determine who a person is by what they are wearing
@Druid916 (36)
• United States
6 Aug 09
I have to agree that having a nice shirt and tie commands respect and better treatment. I like to wear jeans and T-shirts and I get treated average at best. When I wear a T-shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals I get treated better though. But as soon as I switch on the jeans and tennis shoes I get treated like a bum. A shirt and tie? I get treated like a professional and get called "sir" LOL!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
6 Aug 09
I say you have an attitude and bearing that commands respect, regardless of what you are wearing. They do not think the suitcan help them, but the person who looks self assured and like he knows what he is doing. I have the same thing happen to me in stores a lot, and I do not even have a dress uniform, so to speak. I have fewere casual clothes than many, but I am tending that way, as my job is pretty scaled down and casual. In fact, a polo is kind of dressy.
1 person likes this
@sulaiziana (42)
• Malaysia
6 Aug 09
good physical makes good impression..the good way you wear, the smarter you look. i like man who wear shirt and tie..they look very handsome and gentlemen.
1 person likes this
@facefinder (8)
• United States
6 Aug 09
In most cases, yes. A shirt and tie does bring respect. Formal attire is something we didn't see for quite awhile. It doesn't just command respect, it also shows respect from the company you are dealing with and an employee's respect for the company he works for. It also brings out a "confidence" that is not normally there. And I think you should lighten up and consider Superman for halloween! If you have a fun, sarcastic sense of humor you could be the life of the party. Think of the jokes just putting your job and Superman together! You"ll have to get a tear away shirt and tie! Honestly, you could have a blast! (did I tell you I went to the University of I Know What You Need to Do) didn't think so. FaceFinder!
1 person likes this
@testXXX (26)
• Canada
6 Aug 09
It's not really just the suit and tie itself, but rather how you wear it. If you were wearing your tie loosened or your collar undone, I doubt people would mistake you for a manager. Mostly people would mistake you for a manager because normally nobody would wear a suit and tie as casual dress so they think that therefore, you must be at work and you must be a manager. It's not really that the clothing commands respect but more of the fact that most of the time people would not wear a suit and tie casually.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 Jun 11
Well a shirt and a tie might maintain the illusion of authority for a short time. That much is for certain, as it makes people think that the person is intelligent enough to dress in such a matter. Well your general average person on the street who doesn't really know all that much better is that person that knows that. There are people who might nod, smile, impressed by the shirt and tie, thinking that is a good first impression and the person might be someone of authority and respect.
However for some people, they tend to not go past the might. They take a good long look at the person behind the suit and tie in this day and age. The fact is anywhere that wears a suit and tie is seen to be intimidated by the common man and does not have as much intelligence as previously determined. Therefore, there are going to be some people who are going to not be as respected once they are figured out that this is just a way to look respected. However its the person behind the suit and tie that matters and if they fit the mantle of respect, then they will be respected.
