Steve and Dave were laid off, so they went to the unemployment office. When asked his occupation, Steve replied, "I'm an underwear stitcher. I sew the elastic onto cotton panties."

The clerk looked up "underwear stitcher" and found it classified as unskilled labour. Steve would receive $300 a week in unemployment.

Then it was Dave's turn. When asked his occupation he said diesel fitter. Since diesel fitter was skilled work, Dave would get $600 a week. When Steve found out, he stormed back into the office to complain. The clerk explained that Steve was an unskilled labourer, while Dave was a skilled worker. "Skilled?" said Steve, outraged. "What skill? I sew the elastic on the panties. Then he holds them up and says, 'Yup, diesel fitter.'"