Practical Protocols and Codes of Conduct

with thanks to MAsT Calgary

pro-to-col (n)
 "a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence"

Do you think you don't use protocols or rituals? You are almost certainly wrong, and I don't mean in the context of an alternative lifestyle. Most, probably all, people participate in protocols and ritually on a regular basis.

Have you stood in a line lately to buy your groceries to to get into a movie; signaled your intention to turn or change directions driving home; put in a request to your boss to take time off? Good for you, your are following protocol.

A protocol is a rule, or a commonly understood process, which describes how an activity should be performed. As much as some people want to ignore "the rules" sometimes exercising their "freedom", protocol has been critical to development of our modern day structured society; and most human societies throughout history.

In Power Exchange relationships, structure is important to maintaining the balance, or rather carefully orchestrated imbalance, of power. Protocols are often the first step in building and maintaining that structure.

Chances are, you have already established and are using protocol. "slave. you can do this, but not that. you must do this once a week and you must have permission to do something else."

Many protocols are understood and followed without specific instruction. In day to day life they can be simple actions of courtesy. Within groups and communities they can be specific to those communities. This way when people in these communities interact with others for the first time they do not have to build new protocols, nor do they have discuss common protocols and codes of conduct to ensure they follow the same "rules".

Master/slave and Dom/sub relations and communities are the same and use protocols and codes of conduct extensively. But one size does NOT fit all situations.

Every relationship is unique and is built with circumstances unique to the people within the relationship. It is also possible that their protocols are unique or even conflict with community protocols. Some protocols fit, and some do not.

How do you know what protocol to have in your Power Exchange relationships? Why develop certain protocols in the first place, or any at all. What purposes do protocols have for you? What protocols do you like or what protocols do you not like? If you do not like a protocol should that mean you choose not to follow it?

Protocol is a foundational piece of all our lives. Protocol plays a critical role in our Power Exchange Relationships. How can it be employed not only to create the relationship but support, improve and solidify one? How as times goes on can adjusting or creating new protocols facilitate M/s, D/s relationship growth?