Not really the point of this thread, but ok, I'll play along:
Would you rather drop glass or drop aluminum?
Right...
I would still advise "neither", but if you could only drop one, the odds of still having a BETTER looking/working/usable phone is higher with the 5 than the 4/4S.
Cosmetically they BOTH would show signs (were it the exact same drop). Yes, the black aluminum would show damage... but so would the glass (black or white)... If we are having the discussion which one shows wear easier maybe, but as far as DROPS go, the edge goes to the aluminum in more cases than the glass.
Again, despite the cries that the 5 is inferior in terms of "build quality" the ONLY area that has been even remotely proven is that of minor COSMETIC damage. Functionally, the 5 holds up extremely well, even after some drops.
I loved my 4S, but the 5 is superior in almost every way.