JENNIFER ANISTON KNOWS

What is the secret agreement between the scientists and the catering staff? They're all wearing the same uniform, have you noticed this? The most educated, highly trained researchers in the world are wearing that white lab coat down to the knees, yet when they go to lunch they're being served food by canteen staff wearing exactly the same coat - and these are pretty much the lowest paid, most overworked people on the plant; chances are slim that they got the job because of their ground breaking dissertation on quantum physics.

Are the scientists wearing the coats to make the caterers feel better, is that the deal there? Or are we being hoodwinked? Is this science stuff really so easy that just about anyone can do it. Forget the eight years at university getting degree, MA and professorship - if Bob on the project into reknitting the atom wants to pull a sick day, Pedro over by the mashed potatoes can take over. It won't make a whole lot of difference.

It's the same deal in hospitals - the chief surgeon is dressed just the same as the woman serving cheese rolls. They even have the same hairnet.

Maybe there's a rota system in these places - no one really knows what task they'll be doing from day to day, so they all come in with the white coat and the hairnet and see where they're assigned by the manager. The same people who are serving liver for dinner were repairing one in the operating theatre that afternoon.