Can Indian men throw off the tyranny of the necktie – and save energy too? A group of corporate workers in Mumbai are trying to pass a ‘No-Tie Day’ on May 3, 2010, their reasoning being that when men dress cooler, they will require less air-conditioning.
As reported by BBC News, Dhiraj Shrinivasan, co-founder of the “No Tie Campaign” says: “I have read that wearing a tie makes one feel warm. Naturally then people ask for office temperatures to be reduced, causing higher carbon emissions because of more air conditioning.”
“When I consulted an energy expert he explained to me that nearly 25% more is consumed when temperatures are maintained between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius instead of an ideal 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.”
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Seems like a game plan – it’s no point dressing like buttoned down Britishers in the heat and dust of India. Tie manufacturers won’t be too happy but imagine the coolness of a cotton kurta in the furnace that Delhi is in the summer months!
Which gets one thinking: in his quest for energy saving ideas, NY Mayor Bloomberg should perhaps consider banning ties from corporate offices and turning the air-conditioning down a notch. Or better yet, invest in Made in India cotton kurtas!
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Interesting tale – and an expensive lunch!
Back in the 70s, the US was in the midst of its first oil shock, and the government decreed reduced use of air conditioning. I flew from Boston to Washington DC for a series of meetings that summer, and, it being quite hot, did not take a jacket or tie with me. My hosts invited me to join them for lunch, but none of their favorite restaurants would admit me because I was not wearing the appropriate dress- jacket and tie. I had to buy a new tie just to eat lunch!