And I have heard that dismissive little phrase at work, everywhere I've worked. In the bush or behind a desk. In the North and on the Prairies. At the head of the team or following the leader.

A joe job is a no-brainer, a little bit of rote, any boring task which smacks of fetch-and-carry: Dig that trench. File those papers. Move that stuff over there. Bring that stuff over here.

A joe job. Oh, yeah?

Just as the worker ought not to blame his tools, neither should he devalue the work of others. Because we are all just working stiffs – cobblers, musicians, clerics, auto body men and athletes - doing our best to get along. There are no joe jobs.

Just as – see above – there are no average Joes.