Protocol

To clarify my terms:

There may be some confusion as to what a Protocol is- I would first like to point out what a protocol is not. Protocol is not ritual, although it may contain ritual elements.

Ritual is a behavior, repeated by situation or on demand. The purpose of ritual is the ritual itself, and the feelings it creates in the submissive and/or the dominant. It typically does not vary normally the perfection of the ritual is its own goal.

Protocol is not etiquette, although it may overlap in its teaching and intent.

Etiquette is proper self expression, a refined and specialized form of communication - the ability to communicate to others in a fashion which the Dominant finds pleasing and appropriate. The scope of the absolute importance of proper etiquette and good manners is beyond the scope of this article, but I'm sure to address the West Wing perspective on that in time. (Actually, its inevitable.)

Protocol is not merely the following of orders, or the anticipation of desire. Although it reinforces such things.

Protocol rules are the guidelines which the strong willed and intelligent submissive uses to make decisions in the best interests of her Dominant. It is a structure outlining appropriate behavior and action. It is a set of rules which illustrate the Dominants desires, needs and priorities. A well-structured Protocol allows confidence on the part of the submissive and the Dominant, and helps take D/S outside the bedroom and into everyday life.

The first and toughest question of designing a Protocol is the question:

"What do you want?"

Tougher than it looks. (At least, it was for me.) Took some thought.

My concept of dominance is a 24/7 structure. However, I have little interest in moment to moment micro-managing, repeating myself, or servants without initiative, drive or backbone. A proper structure is part of the answer. I applied the Old Guard concept of three degrees of Protocol: Low (3rd), Middle (2nd) and High (1st). Low and Middle have a Formal and Informal form, to increase its versatility

Low Protocol:

For day to day life, I wish servants in my service to be able to interact normally with the rest of the world, and to some extent, with me. There are too many real world uses for a competent representative to cripple their social effectiveness with burdensome rituals. This does not change the status of their service to me, nor does it strip them of the reminders of their service that are often so important to them but it does demand that such rituals are subtle, and often invisible to the world at large.

So, when designing that structure, I had to decide what I wanted it to teach:

• A continuous reminder of service and its responsibilities
• Permitted casual behavior, yet with specific boundaries.
• Recognition of station, orders, demands and requests in an invisible and unobtrusive fashion.
• Behavior which reflects my intentions and desired interaction on a personal and professional level
• Awareness of accountability, despite the temptations offered by casual behavior and independence.

Low Protocol is often the most difficult to master for the trainee, because it offers many of the illusions, comforts and distractions of freedom, yet accountability and responsibility does not end during these times. It has the least moment to moment guidance, and often the greatest margin for error.

Middle Protocol:

Most often used in public scene clubs and play situations, I need to change the degree of focus and priorities of the servant in question. It is perhaps the most classical of my Protocols, one that people would most easily identify as BDSM. Considered a "Performance" Protocol, I needed it to teach the servant how to:

• Prioritize decisions in the appropriate context
• The time and place for degrees of casual behavior
• Consistent ground rules of action and responsibility
• Awareness and anticipation of my needs, wants, and desires- and those of other respected Dominants in my company as a priority
• Focus on BDSM priorities, no matter how long or strenuous the time spent in Middle Protocol

Most BDSM activities are executed in this form but it is merely another facet of the structure. Service, authority and accountability do not diminish when someone is eased down from Middle to Low Only the expression of it. There is no "Off Time"

High Protocol:

The expectations and requirements of High Protocol are most exacting.

• Complete attention and focus, no matter what the distractions.
• Absolute and instantaneous obedience, without delay, hesitation or question.
• Decision-making and priorities are NOT part of High Protocol; the servant’s wants, needs and desires are suspended.
• All extraneous movement, speech, and thought are unacceptable. If First Protocol is in effect, concentration is demanded.
• Awareness that every move, answer and behavior is being carefully scrutinized and judged.

Normally, my High Protocol is used for short periods for instruction or amusement, or longer periods for punishment purposes.

Each of the Protocols has its own codex of speech, posture, and behavior, but I am not going to list them here. I do not wish to distract from the purpose of Protocol with the details of my particular preferences and fetishes.

These guidelines are in effect even when I am not present. In fact, that is very much the purpose of them. If one of my servants is out shopping, she is naturally in Low Protocol. If she runs into a respected dominant of my acquaintance, her Protocol becomes Low Formal. If that dominant takes her home to work or serve, she will step up to Middle because she knows that is appropriate behavior. If that Dominant becomes angry or requires absolute attention, she will step up to High Protocol until released down to a lower one.

With further education, I can (And have) send that same servant to that same dominant with instructions, which quickly and simply dictate my expectations of her behavior:

"Middle Informal, speech in Low Formal, and if he makes sexual use of you, up to High so he does not have to concern himself with your opinions or preferences. If he chooses to, he can take you down from there."

The West Wing has five guidelines which carry through ALL the protocols, ideas that I expect a servant to keep constantly in mind at all times. No matter what the situation, these rules apply:

1. Good Manners are always appropriate
2. Gratitude is always appropriate
3. Acknowledge a request, order or mistake
4. When in doubt, Ask.
5. When in need, Request.
6. Maximum amount of information, minimum amount of words.

Understanding of these guidelines, combined with a working knowledge of the protocols allows me great confidence in my servant, for I know that I will be represented well. Protocol can be changed by order or by situation, and allows a servant to never be without guidance and never be lost as to what her priorities and responsibilities are.

( http://www.the-estate.com/articles/flagg_pro.html )