Whoever thought up all those tie designs has a really good imagination. I think that some of them look...well, scary! :) Going to all that effort to tie three ties in some instances? That's dedication! I think many a man has thought, "Why am I wearing this thing around my neck?" History and precedence have everything to do with it. In most cultures, it's just what everyone else does to dress-up.
I also think that most guys feel that restricted or tight feeling from wearing a tie, not because of the tie necessarily; I think it's from the size of collar for the shirt that they wear. (Usually too small!) So, don't always blame the tie. :)