Brickbat: Tied in a Knot

reuvenim / photo on flickr

Officials at Colne Community School in Essex, England, placed Max Richmond in in-school isolation for one day for violating school rules. What did the 13-year-old do to warrant that punishment? He wore a regular tie instead of clip-on tie.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

What a sad choice for display of rebellion. No gang colors, not exposed midriff, no badass t-shirt slogan. The kid chose neckwear to make his statement. This is why we kicked your ass in WWII, England.

[Question of Auban]

Remember the TV show Family Ties? There are periods in history when what was once "conservative" or "standard" becomes rebellious. His generation may be on the cusp of such a period.

[invisible furry hand]

"I like wearing a real tie because it feels proper.

"People have worn them for generations, and if you are not wearing one during secondary school then you are never going to learn the necessary skills for when you go into the world of work.

"When you are wearing a clip-on tie it is hard to be taken seriously, especially when you go to competitions against other schools - it feels foolish, and childish."

He seems fatally confused about the role of school in contemporary society

[db]

Yes, the tie is what teaches you the skills for the working world, Son. Yikes. I think the school has him brainwashed just they way they want--he believes the tie is important to success, but they have him just conflicted enough that now he has to accept that not only does he need a tie; he needs the *correct kind* of tie to meet the regulations.

[AlmightyJB]

Who does that kid think he is Prince William? F'kin peasent wearing a real tie. J.C.

[db]

I went to Catholic elementary school. Anyone who wore a clip-on tie past the third grade was mocked mercilessly by the other male students as "Captain Clip-On" or worse. Kids really are evil. I'm glad I grew out of the phase where it was proper to mock people for being different.

[Question of Auban]

I read somewhere that the TSA's official gate molesters are required to wear clip-ons because one of their victims might take offense and use the tie to defend themselves against the government-sanctioned molestation.

[db]

It was considered "fighting dirty" to use another kid's real tie against him in a fight or other conflict, tantamount to a hit below the belt, when I was in elementary school. It can be a devastating weapon.

[Question of Auban]

Maybe such "fighting dirty" is more acceptable among gen Y

[np]

Real rebels wear bow ties.

[Question of Auban]

Very true! I am a Rothbardian myself.

[invisible furry hand]

bow ties are cool

[Question of Auban]

I wonder if Matt Smith is a Rothbardian?

[Matrix]

I'm sorry, but unless it is a formal event (black tie), I can't take someone seriously if I see them wearing a bowtie.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

I'd wear a bow tie for Amy Pond.

[invisible furry hand]

around what?

[db]

Anything she required.

[Matrix]

dorks, you mean.

[Bee Tagger]

Real rebels get mocked by Jon Stewart.

[Ted S.]

Once again, state schools are the biggest bullies. (According to Wikipedia "academies" in England are directly funded by the central government.)

[TingJing]

That whoel thing sounds pretty legit to me dude.

http://www.CompleteAnon.da.bz

[Rich]

Ye another reason to not live in the UK.

I'm glad Americans have more sense than those limey clowns.