why do men wear ties and women smart, two-piece suits? because, they hope, it gives them an air of authority. maybe they figure that, if they look businesslike, as if they know what they are doing, everyone will assume that they have power and control. but the joke is, up to a point, it works. we're so easily led by superficial appearance that we will speak respectfully to almost any blithering idiot, as long as their shoes are clean and their clothes well-ironed.