A Passing Thought for the New Year. . .

Let’s say “No, thanks” in 2022 to the hair trigger mentality that seems to have taken over broad swaths of society any time there is an imagined or perceived slight of some kind. Meeting ugly belligerence with our own brand of belligerence solves nothing and, at best, creates additional problems.

Sadly, life ain't like a James Bond movie most of the time. Walking away from a possible confrontation with our dignity, front teeth, and eye glasses intact is far preferable to taking on someone built like Odd Job or Robert Shaw in a train compartment during the overnight journey to Dubrovnik. Or some buttinski we don't know from Adam filming the heated exchange with an iPhone to return to 2022 for a moment.

Here’s a related hint. Besides obstreperous strangers, we might also need to walk away from extended family members and so called “friends” who do nothing but drag us down, expose us to unpleasant interactions, and even dangerous situations. In short, we must learn and know when to walk away from toxic people, situations, and keep them at arm's length.

It is sometimes just easier to pick up our things, move elsewhere, and resolve never again to put ourselves in a similar situation. A lot of people in 2022, for whatever reason, are beyond all reason and seem immune to tact. They neither take subtle hints, nor respond well to polite direct requests to cease and desist with X, Y, Z, or whatever else the offending behavior might be.

And when such instances arise, it is better to keep our own blood pressure under control, refuse to take the bait, change our venue -- or cut 'em loose as the case may be -- and let it go.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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Mid-November Monday. . .

A few minutes between classes this morning, so I snapped pictures of today's attire and accessories. The first wearing this season of the Optimo 'Dearborn' fedora, and the tie is a vintage number from Orvis, a nod to my late father's fly-fishing and fly-tying hobbies. It's been two or three years since this particular necktie's last appearance, so high time to pull it out and knot it carefully around the ol' neck. Managed to nail it on the first attempt too. Could this be the start of a trend? -- Heinz-Ulrich

The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

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My Preferred Oxford Cloth Button-Down Shirts. . .

One of several light blue cotton oxford cloth button-down collar shirts in my rotation, worn here with a wool flannel navy blazer and a vintage Italian silk necktie once sold under the Rooster label. An orange-brown with silvery paisleys, ideal for the autumn. T he other day, a regular visitor to Classic Style for the Average Guy left a comment in which he asked for information and my recommendations on the classic oxford cloth button-down shirt, commonly abbreviated to 'ocbd.' "Me? Are you tawkin' to me?" Oblique Robert DeNiro references aside, let's talk oxford cloth button-down shirts. This particular type of shirt is one of the bedrock items every man should have a few of hanging in his closet, especially when he wishes to present himself to the world in a way better -- yes, I said better -- than what has become the sad accepted average among so much of the male populace. First things first though. Lots of people automatically...

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