--- title: The Ties That Unbind- The Birth of the Tie-Cutting Tradition description: The Ties That Unbind- The Birth of the Tie-Cutting Tradition --- [![Sweeney Conrad](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/Sweeney-Conrad-logo.jpg?width=542&height=166&name=Sweeney-Conrad-logo.jpg "Sweeney Conrad")](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/) ![navigation menu](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/hamburger-bars.png) - [What We Do](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do) - [Tax Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/tax-services) - [Client Accounting Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/client-accounting-services) - [Advisory Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/advisory-services) - [How We Do It](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it) - [Our Process](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/our-process) - [Industries we serve](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/industries) - 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[40+ Year History](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/history) - [Careers at SC](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers) - [Benefits & Perks](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/benefits-perks) - [Experienced Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/experienced-professionals) - [SC Young Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/sc-young-professionals) - [SC Summer Summit](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/summer-summit) - [Job Opportunities](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/job-opportunities) - [Get in Touch](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch) - [Contact Us](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch/contact-us/) - [Pay Online](https://www.quickfee.com/qsop?company=quickfeeus&creditor=SWEENEY) - [Client Login](https://sweeneyconrad.sharefile.com/) - [Our Insights](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/) - [Newsletter](https://share.hsforms.com/189SwWa83QWmQ98wj4A6liQ2bure) # The Ties That Unbind- The Birth of the Tie-Cutting Tradition By Emily Taibl | Dec 20, 2016 [![white arrow](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/arrow-left-white.png)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com) INSIGHTS/BLOG [![drew-vertical](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Drew-Vertical-225x300.jpg?width=220&name=Drew-Vertical-225x300.jpg)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Drew-Vertical.jpg)by Emily Taibl  There are a number of rites of passage that mark the graduation from “newbie” to “professional.”   The tradition of cutting someone’s tie or scarf is said to have originated when military pilots completed their first mission.  On training flights, the instructor would sit behind the trainee, and yank on their scarf as deemed necessary to get the trainee’s attention, or scold them for making a mistake.  Ties (or scarves in this case) were typically cut after a pilot’s first solo flight- signifying that the instructor no longer possessed power over the pilot.    Fast forward to present day and you may find this fun tradition happening with anyone from car salesman getting their first sale to realtors closing a big deal. In early November, Sweeney Conrad began our own tie-cutting tradition when Andrew Whitman passed the CPA exam!  Congratulations to Drew, and good luck finding a new tie! In addition, Sweeney Conrad (very proudly) announces that Joe Botkins, Michael Holmes, Manami Mishina and Michelle Peters all passed their CPA Exam this week!  We look forward to cutting your ties in January! ### RECENT POSTS ### POSTS BY TAG - [Tax (122)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/tax) - [Audit & Assurance (74)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/audit-and-assurance) - [Estate Planning (60)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/estate-planning) - [News (30)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/news) - [COVID-19 (26)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/covid-19) - [Sweeney Conrad News (21)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-news) - [Retirement Reporter (17)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/retirement-reporter) - [Sweeney Conrad Passion (16)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-passion) - [Sweeney Conrad People (16)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/people) - [Employee Benefit Plans (15)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/employee-benefit-plans) - 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