All this work in boots and coveralls is giving me an excellent neck and hands tan.

The cooks teased me about my new coveralls after lunch. It isn’t fashionable to have new coveralls or boots, you see. The accepted look is royal blue coveralls with reflective stripes, and they should be dusty or stained almost black. Other acceptable colours include red; but only those who don’t mind attention brave red coveralls. Once I saw someone wearing tan coveralls.

Hard hats can be any colour, but should be quite worn and preferably covered with health & safety stickers.

New clothes should be avoided because they make you look like a greenhorn. The biggest fashion faux pas would be new coveralls, new boots, and a new hard hat on the same day.

You never want to do that.