The $2 tie
May 31, 2006I usually go to the gym in the morning before work, so I don’t bother putting on a tie. I just bring it with me and put it on when I’m dressing up after the workout. But today, for the first time since I started this job, I forgot to bring a tie.
I actually remember looking at my tie rack trying to decide which to bring, but for some reason I got distracted and never actually picked the tie. Might have been something on the TV, maybe it was the weather forecast or something? Whatever the reason, I came to work tie-less.
I felt kinda naked sitting in my cubicle without a tie. I know, it’s dumb but I’ve gotten really used to wearing that tie. So by lunchtime I decided I’d brave the heat outside and walk over to the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and grab a temporary tie.
Now the thrift store is on Market Street, but about seven or eight blocks away. Not normally a bad walk but it was hot and muggy today. Luckily I remembered to bring some paper towels so I could keep wiping off the sweat as it rolled off my semi-bald head.
They had quite a selection, though of course they were the ugliest possible ties. I mean, so ugly it made the tie rack at KMart look like haute couture. But I managed to find a plain, un-offensive tie that doesn’t clash too much with my shirt and slacks. And for $2 it’s a relative bargain.
At the end of the day I’ll probably just keep this tie here at work in my desk drawer. Just in case I ever forget my tie again.