Blimey Gonzo, I'm starting to worry about you - you sound far too intelligent and reasonable to be an ATCO!
Reminds me of back in the 90s a newly validated Tower Controller at LL had to suffer a watch change to my watch, so I pulled his leg by saying, 'You would never have validated on our watch!', 'Why not?'said our hero. 'Because all us old farts can't stand seeing men wearing earrings!'.
He is still a mate so tolerated my warped sense of humour - still wears a bloody earring though!