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Why Do We Wear Ties?

Why does the tie symbolise a desire to belong and conform as well as individuality?

Mike William looks at the paradox at the heart of the human condition - the desire to belong and to conform, but also to hold onto our individuality. And we see a symbol of this paradox every day in an apparently useless piece of clothing about 150 centimetres long - the necktie. Why do we wear ties?

(Photo: US astronaut Buzz Aldrin arrives on the red carpet wearing a colourful tie. Credit: Getty Images)

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18 minutes

Last on

Mon 7 Dec 201514:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 4 Dec 201521:32GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia
  • Mon 7 Dec 201502:32GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
  • Mon 7 Dec 201503:32GMT
    BBC World Service Online, East Asia, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview only
  • Mon 7 Dec 201504:32GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia
  • Mon 7 Dec 201505:32GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 7 Dec 201507:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Mon 7 Dec 201513:32GMT
    BBC World Service Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
  • Mon 7 Dec 201514:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only

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  • The Why Factor

    The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions