AwwsChwa,
Well, yes, it might get dirty, but I've always found that it's easier to work in a clean engine bay. For example, if you do develop an oil leak, it's much easier to troubleshoot where the leak is coming from if there is minimal oil on the exterior of the engine.

The other thing I try to do is clean a part all the way up once I have it off the engine. That reminds me, I have to clean the latch release mechanism on the wife's Civic, it's all crudded up from the PO.
Bogatyr