MadRabbit -> RE: Set of rules... (12/5/2008 8:50:57 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LaTigresse MR, you seem to say that you see rules and protocols as two very seperate entities. I am struggling to see the difference. Even when I look both up, the word "rule" is used to help define protocol. Could you explain for me, to help me understand, how you see the two being different? I am struggling here. In a literal sense, they are more or less the same thing. I tend to make a distinction between the two for the purposes of semantics and to highlight differences in structure in a relationship. A rule for me implies a problem. Hence, this is a problem therefore I am going to make a rule that deals with the problem and if the rule is broken, there will be negative consequences. For example, "If you don't shave your legs by 2pm every other day, then you will be punished." That's a rule. Because of the nature of rules, making a long list of rules prior to having a partner is pointless, because the rules are arbitrary. It assumes that there will be a problem with shaving the legs thus the need to create a rule. How does one know if that problem will exist if there isn't a relationship present for the problem to form? It's as arbitrary as creating a rule that says "If you don't breathe regularly, you will be punished." So given that, as many posters have pointed out, rules need to be formed based on the issues that arise with the individual your with in order to deal with them. A protocol on the other hand is just a defined behavior. There is no negative consequences associated with it. It's not a contingency. It's just an established behavior, a personal preference, and an expectation. It's "You will shave your legs on a regular basis." or "You will wear a collar." No consequence associated with it. It's just a behavior that will be expected to be completed in the relationship. The notion that a dominant shouldn't develop protocols prior to having a relationship, because he won't get a relationship does not ring true to me. In fact, by doing so, I would go as far to say that you would be getting a relationship, but not getting a submissive. Given, of course, we are talking about a power based relationship where a person is submitting to the will of another and changing their behavior to meet the standards set forth by the dominant. It doesn't seem so shocking or flawed to me for a dominant to develop personal preferences prior to a relationship that he *gasps* expects the supposed submissive to conform to and follow. In fact, I think figuring out your personal preferences, expectations, and what exactly you want this person who is going to do whatever you want to do should be figured out before finding a partner. What's also being suggested in this thread bears absolutely no resemblance to any other social relationship that involves authority. When I got hired for my job, they had a predetermined list of protocols I was expected to follow. Shave my bread, keep my hair short, wear a clean uniform, wear a cutting glove while holding a knife, wear an apron, etc, etc. There was no negotiation. I didn't get to sit down and say "Well, geez, I really want a beard, long hair, and to wear my dirty jeans with torn knees to work so you guys will have to change your expectations in order to get this work relationship with me." It was "Do it or don't have a job." If a supposed submissive thinks they should be able to say "Hmm, I want to be with you, but wearing a collar and shaving my legs doesn't really work for me" and expect a dominant to change his preferences and expectations to hers, I would say they are either incredibly naive or looking for the wrong relationship.
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