Protecting ties

[Ambulance Chaser]

What is the most dignified way to protect a tie during a job interview lunch?

 

[montecristo#4]

I have to confess that I do the tie flip when I am eating lunch by myself in the office. Any other time, you just need to put your tie at risk. Taking overt protective measures is just too cheesy.

 

[DandySF]

Better to sacrifice your tie than your dignity. All those protective maneuvers are graceless. Eat carefully or buy ties you can afford to replace when they get nailed with misdirected food.

My secret weapon? An old can of Scotch Guard, which provides an invisible protective shield. Unfortunately it's been taken off the market for environmental reasons.

 

[BjornH]

Well - I would probably stay away from spagetti or tagliatelle as I've lost a few ties that way. My favorite is tucking it into my shirt pocket or inside pocket of my jacket.

 

[aybojs]

I have to err on the side of practicality here. When I was at work this summer, I just flipped my tie over when I was eating lunch, and it worked fine for me. If necessary I would do it in the presence of company and wouldn't look down on anyone who would do the same. I'd think the guy was some kind of an overbearing ass if he complained about a common sense measure that's really not all that "undignified."

 

[Pink22m]

I agree. I doubt that I am going to lose my self dignity by flipping my tie over for a few minutes while I eat my lunch. Give me a break.

 

[AlanC]

No, one generally is not going to lose any self dignity by taking one of the protective measures. However, this is supposed to be a "job interview lunch". That makes a difference. Sacrifice the tie, or better yet... wear a bow tie.

 

[rayk]

To adhere to the situation posed in the question, I Â would have to say that to do anything with one's tie other than wear it as it was intended would be counter productive to the intended purpose of the occasion. Â This is a job interview about which were talking, and you have been asked to this luncheon as an integral component of the interview process, not because of the company's solicitude for the nutrition of its prospective employees. Â How this prospect comports himself during this process could be of the utmost importance to whether he is seen as compatible with the image that the company wants its employees to project . Â This is not to suggest that placing your tie in a pocket or over the shoulder would necessarily sabotage your interview, but it could conceivably sway the interviewer's opinion. I once had a business associate who used to conduct interviews for high-level entry jobs with a major chemical corporation in the northeast. Â A portion of his evaluation of the fitness of a candidate for a position was based on the comportment of the prospect while at a business lunch. Â He routinely took prospective employees to restaurants at which Italian cuisines were offered, but at which other dishes were also available. Â If that candadate chose a difficult and/or messy dish, his suitability was questioned. Â This interviewer reasoned that this event should be understood by the candidate as an opportunity to dazzle his prospective employeer with his wit, social grace, and intelligence...his objective professional credentials having been already affirmed. Â Any candadate who attempted to project a dignified and professional image while dribbling spaghetti sauce from his chin and onto his tie, Â probably didn't possess the business/social acumen that was sought. While I digress, my point is that a seemingly insignificant action or behavior, i.e. placing a tie in a pocket or ordering spaghetti at an interview lunch, can be interpreted negatively by an interviewer and be hazardous to your professional health. Â Wear your tie as it was intended and choose your meal thoughtfully. Â To do otherwise puts you at risk for being seen as undesireble. Â Should you choose to emphasize practicality, you may tomorrow have your tie but no job. Â Bend a bowl of spaghetti, or battle a lobster after the interview...and take the tie off Â

 

[Mike C.]

Flipping the tie over the shoulder just brought back memories of high school...lol. I can picture the sea of boys with rep ties thrown over the shoulder of their navy blazers.

I'd suggest tucking the tie into your shirt just below the 4th button. I don't see any possible objection to this. At least none that would sway an interviewer... unless the interviewer is that tough, in which case you have more to worry about.

Order a moderatly priced, neat meal; you should be fine. Good luck bro.

 

[Tom]

This morning, I made the ultimate stupid mistake, I killed my tie with a cup of coffee while driving to work (groan).

 

[NavyStyles]

I say tuck it in. Though, flipping it isn't such a terrible thing. The job interviewer should understand that you'd like to preserve your tie for a little while longer. Just always remember to taste your food before seasoning it (a professor of mine knows a CEO who will not hire anyone who salts/peppers his food before giving it a try).

 

[A Harris]

Another option - I button my suit jacket so that the tie doesn't swing into the food and the eat carefully.

 

[Alias]

I'll be sure to remember this bit. I think I'll probably stick to bread and water for my interview lunch.

 

[matadorpoeta]

the answer is obvious. remember that this is a business lunch. you keep your tie under your buttoned jacket, as mr. harris stated, and you order a neat meal. avoid anything smothered in sauce and be careful with the salad dressing, it has a way of dripping off the fork. keep a napkin on your lap.

the main thing is to look comfortable which can be difficult if you only wear suits during interviews. i suggest you wear your suit a few times beforehand so you won't be too conscious of it.

 

[Thracozaag]

Am I the only one who uses the napkin as a bib when I want to indulge in bolognese sauce?