For better or worse, men have a relatively limited range of choices in business
wear. A smart suit - usually in dark blue, gray, or black - is de
rigueur for formal business situations. That leaves the necktie as one of
the few areas in which a man can express his own individual style. But the
significance of color can diverge surprisingly from culture to culture, and an
injudicious choice of tie can give business associates a negative impression -
or even be an out-and-out insult.
Malaysia
Malaysia has one of the most unusual constitutional monarchies in the world.
The country's nine sultans (a hereditary title) select from among themselves a
supreme ruler who reigns as monarch for a five-year term. One of the monarch's
prerogatives is the exclusive right to wear the royal color - yellow - at
official functions. Attending such a function wearing a yellow tie would be an
affront to the sultan.
China
Red is considered a lucky color by the Chinese, so a red tie is a good choice.
However, the color white is the color of mourning. A businessman wearing a
white tie will make a distinctly funereal impression.
South America
Many countries in Latin America have two main political partes: the Colorados
(Reds) and Blancos (Whites). In such countries, the right color to wear simply
depends on whom you are going to meet.
In Brazil, avoid wearing a tie with the combination yellow and green. These
are Brazil's national colors, and should not be worn by anyone who is not
Brazilian. Combinations of purple and black should also be avoided, as these
colors primarily evoke associations with the religious processions of Holy Week
(Semana Santa).
Middle East
Green is the color of Islam; a green tie can give the impression that you
support local Islamic parties. In an officially Islamic country such as Saudi
Arabia or Kuwait, this should not be a problem. However, in secular states
currently under pressure from Muslim fundamentalists, a green tie may make an
undesirable impression.
The United Kingdom
Most of our concerns have been with plain ties, but in the UK there are also
patterned ties to worry about. Graduates of certain British private schools (in
the UK confusingly called "public schools") sometimes wear
distinctive striped ties. Known as "old school ties," these should
only be worn by graduates of those schools. The easiest way to avoid wearing a
tie too similar to an old school tie is not to wear stripes - or to buy your
ties in the UK.
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