Black-Tie ??

When I came to NZ in 2007 to take up my new role in Wellington, visiting our customers was a priority for me so that I could better understand the businesses I would be working with and the business culture in NZ.? Of course, I was going to the customer meetings wearing a full suit and a tie presuming to look professional ??.?? To my surprise I found the CEOs and Directors of the businesses I visited were in casual dress and looked very relaxed. Obviously, I looked ‘overdressed’.? To build a good relationship with them, I thought I should first give them a feeling that I was “one of them”.?

Therefore, in my subsequent meetings I was wearing just a jeans/cotton trouser and a business or a decent casual shirt.? It did help.? Whenever I walked into their offices, they were more interested in meeting with me and were keen to share their problems and challenges.? It helped me to gain a more trustful relationship too.? Since then, the way I dressed changed as required for the occasion.? Even when I take our CEO (or a Minister) to a customer meeting, I wear a jacket but no longer wear a tie.? It has become an acceptable practice ??.

As I have rarely worn a tie for a long time, I struggle to put a tie on when required!? There are formal dinners or awards events that require us to come in “Black Tie”!? If/when I am invited to any of these, I wonder if I should wear a tie.? Even if I decide to wear a tie, it is likely to be a red or blue tie which I have (and I don’t have a Black Tie).?? I have an invitation to one coming up on 6 June.? Hope they don’t refuse entry if I don’t wear a tie or wear a red one ??.

According to Wikipedia, Black tie?is a?semi-formal Western dress code?for evening events, originating in British and North American conventions for attire?in the 19th century.

I am sure that the days of Black-Tie requirement will soon become very rare or redundant with people's fast-changing preferences and the ongoing evolution of life driven by lifestyle and technologies.