Dear Tie Maven:

I never thought I would have an encounter like this, but last weekend, it happened. My in-laws brought back gifts from their trip to China, and they gave my husband a burgundy silk tie with a repeating print of pandas loitering around a bamboo grove. What can be done with such a tie?

Help me, Tie Maven. You're my only hope.

Hard to say exactly without seeing it (although it doesn't sound very promising). E-mail me a photo.

Hmm. The camera's batteries are dead (both pairs) and the charger seems not to have been put somewhere obvious after its return from England. The photo will have to wait, alas.

ARGH, I can't believe I forgot to show you all those ties when you were at my apartment. Some other time.