Why is it that we have a natural disposition to trust figures of authority? Especially if they are in uniform... This particularly extends to the gay world of dom/sub - which I really ain't gonna go into here but let's just say the sub usually like to be the one not in control and the dom usually the one in the uniform. Well been predominantly sub and pretty compliant when it comes to authority figures I have got myself into some daft situations. Take the example of the policeman - who I for some stupid unknown reason implicitly trusted even though he had not earned his trust. Because of his position (although spell checker suggestion of poison may be more accurate) there is an inbuilt mechanism that's says in my little head that this guy must be trusted. He was in an exceptional position to have me pretty much as compliant as he wanted, and I would have done almost anything - in fact I did.... Big issue with this is I'm a control freak and really not used to giving up control, more importantly I don't like giving control to someone who has not earned that position through experiences with me. So there is a slight conflict. As you can imagine this put tones of strain on an already very weird friendship, and resulted in well non-friendship. I feel I have worked hard to get into the position I am today doing multiple degrees and having to on many occasions "prove" myself. But I don't wear a uniform - instead a shirt and trousers. My title doesn't say doctor, and every time I am in front of a new customer I have to "prove" myself. This is interesting as I was at a meeting with two mobile operators last week and did the usual flexing of knowledge - known in IT circles as the "pissing contest" and when I came out of the meeting got told off by my boss. The thing is I am here doing a multi million pound contract, they may have seen my credentials but how can they trust me unless I show them how knowledgeable I am - well here lies the answer - a uniform! Then though will I be as bad as the policeman, where I have assumed authority but are despised by society for not earning that right? It's a tricky one, but until then let's stick with the pissing contest and continue my hatred for all assumed power - in particular the police and government.