High school counselors everywhere advise students that they have a better future as a third-rate paper shuffler than as a craftsman.
People let out a whistle when they hear about triple-digit hourly fees charged by lawyers, business consultants and sundry white-collar specialists. But observe them closely when the subject comes up. They don’t accuse the practitioners of ripping them off. They are more awestruck than disdainful. They don’t like paying through the nose for those services but accept it as the way the world operates.
It’s only when trade workers present their bill that blood boils and stinging jokes fly. Blue-collar bias is endemic to our society. We can see it in the different work rules and amenities. Hourly workers get docked for taking personal time off, while salaried staffers typically get cut some slack. Office clerks get free coffee, phone privileges and clean restrooms, while skilled craftsmen make do with vending machines, pay phones and port-o-potties.