I learnt to tie a tie when I was four years old. I had to wear one every day to school, and later had some jobs where I had to wear one. Consequently, like Jock, I only know one knot, and wasn't sure what it was, although I thought it was probably either a half or full Windsor.

Having learnt how to tie a tie at such a young age, I am entirely useless when it comes to instructing anyone else, except by standing behind them and tieing it around their neck myself. Come to think of it, though, that is probably how I was taught.

After looking at the videos on the web site that was linked (and retieing the tie I had on several times, which I was only wearing because I went to an Xmas party today), the knot I use appears to be a half Windsor.

So, I can tie a half Windsor in my sleep, but other knots not atall. No decision process is ever needed or possible, rendering any advice in this thread redundant!

I'm afraid if I need to wear black tie I wear a pre-tied bow tie, as I never learnt how to tie a bow tie, but at least I don't (and never would) wear a clip-on bow tie.