Maybe I'm too old-fashioned but right or wrong, the salesman got what he deserved. Who in their right mind actively defies direct orders from one's boss within weeks of getting a new job in an economy like this? If it's that unreasonable, leave. This isn't a fast food restaurant where pissing off a single customer results in a buck or two of profit lost, car sales is big money.
I also don't buy the fired employees' story that he was simply wearing the tie to honor his grandmother. If that was the case, why did he only decide to wear it that one day? That might have been part of the reason, but I'd like to see ONE person here say that they wouldn't be tempted to antagonize a bears fan after Sunday's game. The fact of the matter is, the business owner thought he was bad for business. He gave him multiple opportunities to remove the tie and keep his job.
I don't get it.