Why iranians don wear ties

Although some shop windows still display ties, sales are reportedly low and shop owners selling neckties face hurdles. Though not forbidden by law, ties are never seen on government officials or civil servants in the Shia-majority country. Hussein explained that when a government inspector enters his mall, the security staff warn him to remove the ties from his shop's display windows before the inspector sees his shop.

He could close the store, as long as there are three mannequins with ties in the window display. Or the inspector could impose a fine if there is only one mannequin," Hussein explained.

The present image of the necktie as a symbol of cultural decadence is often shown on Iranian television series where only villains or gangsters wear them. The Magazine answers The crew are back in the UK. In Iran ties are viewed as un-Islamic and said to contribute to the spreading of western culture.

President Ahmadinejad being 'open'. A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines. In today's Magazine. Ghost town. The guerilla plant. Walking away.

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