So what else is good about working in the building trade as opposed to that stuffy office job? There is a subtle, but significant benefit to being on the tools, and it involves personal hygiene.

I am not suggesting that builders are filthy animals, quite the opposite, such is the dirty nature of the work, a shower afterwards is essential. But knowing that they will get dirty opens up some interesting options in the morning. For me, the brushing of teeth is essential (unless I am running very late!) but the of brushing ones hair is less of an issue. There is no point in being perfectly coiffured at 7.30am only to have a big dollop of plaster in your Brylcreem by 8.30. For the office worker every strand must be in place on his head, lest he should be accused of exhibiting some individuality.

The novice builder will spend his first months protecting his appearance before the penny finally drops that the ladies are few and far between on site. Likewise, wearing those Reebok Classics was a great idea before it rained. Now the wet feet and ruined shoes make the sensible but'dorky'work boots much more attractive. Once the initial attempts at maintaining some street cred have failed, the floodgates are open.

It starts at lunch. The salad cream, tomato, piccalilli that cascade down the hi-visibility jacket make a real mess… But is it any messier than the drywall adhesive you will be using later? Clearly there is no point in cleaning it off. No-one will notice it anyway. Imagine our man in accounts with a drop of dill pickle on his silk tie. It would be a catastrophe. And should it touch his Hugo Boss suit he would be ashamed to re-enter the office.

The low point/high point (depending on your point of view) for the builders cleanliness comes a couple of times a year when he gets a cold. The runny nose that lasts for a couple of days is really annoying for every sufferer. Continually blowing, sniffing and reaching for the tissues. But not the hardcore builder. Why try and stem the flow? Let the nose drip itself dry… onto the floor. With two hands on the tool and deadlines to meet he cant afford to stop every couple of minutes to wipe. Just let it hang on the end of your nose, and then to the floor. This is a tactic best avoided when working in a nice private residence, but if you are knocking walls down or digging holes, anything goes.

Builders are not dirty people, but they do have a dirty job and clearly this has advantages and disadvantages. I would suggest one should go with the flow, turn the negatives into positives, and leave the handkerchief at home. A sleeve is just as good.