I think this is one more unconscionable effort by the WTS to place their people in a position of public humiliation - just like "door to door", flag salute for kids, and a myriad of other ways to make them different.
I think it's more to do with Dub history and the fact that they are stagnating, unable to adapt to a civilisation that's progressed and changed. The Dubs were doing door-to-door sales when door-to-door sales worked. It doesn't work anymore, but they still do it, because they've always done it and so much of their identity is tied up in it. Likewise, they began their growth under Rutherford and Knorr at a time when one had to wear a suit and tie to be considered respectable, especially in a public worship context. But now that hardly anyone does so, the Dubs do it, because they have always done it. It was right once, so it must always be right. A funny attitude from a bunch that has so much "new light", don't you think?