Sir

Caning and Spanking Stories copyright 1994-2001 by OldTom, all rights reserved.

This story contains no spanking. But don't pass it up too soon; it contains an explanation at the end which some of you might find useful in your own interactions. This story continues the establishment of our D/s relationship.

We have chosen the word "Sir" to be an integral part of the relationship itself. It carries a deep meaning, known only to ourselves. We both know this word is not to be taken lightly.

This word has much to do with submission, but it also has much to do with rebellion. Therefore, I am laying out my philosophy and expectations, and we will go over them as carefully as we did our original negotiation.

For many people, the following rules are obvious. With us, they are not. Whether the problems be ones of misunderstanding or rebellion, I am removing all excuses.

Once we have gone over this document, there will be no more excuses. Only consequences. I trust this is clear.

We must start with the understanding that we have placed our D/s relationship on a basis of respect. You will show your respect for the relationship whether or not you happen to respect me personally at that moment.

This is to be your guiding principle. You are to respect yourself, and you are to respect your status as my submissive.

I am not particularly concerned over whether you respect *me* or not. But I will not allow you to show disrespect for our relationship, or for your status as my submissive.

We have chosen the word Sir as the means of showing, acknowledging, this underlying theme of respect.

As my submissive, there will be times you address me - obviously. It might be in writing or in speaking; that does not matter. I'm being very basic here to make a point; I'm not inviting humor. When you address me, you are to use the word Sir, and that word Sir is to be somewhere in the first sentence. Again, this is true whether your words are written or spoken.

I believe I am doing you a favor by laying out, clearly and precisely, my expectations for use of the word Sir. I am attaching them as a separate essay, so that you can carry them with you without inviting unwanted questions.

These are the rules *I* once followed, and I was accountable for correct usage from the first moment I was so instructed. I thus have no qualms whatever, in holding you to the same standard.

Essay: Correct Use of the word Sir

These are the rules I followed at the Academy. I have verified their accuracy with a friend of mine, an Academy grad from the same class. To be sure, we were never this clearly instructed; we learned by trial and error.

To give this essay something of the right flavor, I wrote it as if I were an upperclassman teaching an incoming Cadet. Of course any such *actual* instruction was given in a far less friendly manner of explaining.

When you address me, you are to use the word Sir, and that word Sir is to be somewhere in the first sentence.

Examples:

"Sir, it was down to fifteen degrees today."

"It was cold this morning, Sir."

I know, from my own experience, that the first form is much safer. It is safest to form the habit of *always* beginning to address me, with Sir. Let the first word out of your mouth always be Sir, and you will be on safe ground.

Generally, when we are talking back and forth, when it is your turn to talk after me, you should again use Sir, and again it should be somewhere in the first sentence.

Example:

"Sir, this might seem a little silly to talk about."

"That's okay, Mister Jones; go ahead."

"Well, sir, it happened like this..."

When you are quoting back my instructions, a special rule applies. This applies to anything I ask you to repeat back to me, to show that you understood what I said. It also applies to anything you have memorized, and are quoting from memory.

The rule is to state "Sir." at the beginning of the quotation, and again at the end.

Example:

"Mister Jones, what are the rules governing use of the word Sir, as I have explained thus far?"

"Sir. The rules are to use Sir in the first sentence every time I address you, to use it each time we are talking back and forth, and to use the word at the beginning and end whenever I am to repeat something back to you. Sir."

Instructions are to be acknowledged, every time. *Every* time.

There are three acceptable forms of acknowledgement: Yes Sir; No sir; Sir, I do not understand. The acknowledgement may be followed, if you wish, by either or both of the following two questions: Sir, may I ask a question?, and, Sir, may we discuss this?

There are no other acceptable forms of acknowledgement; there is no acceptable alternative phrasing.

There are four acceptable answers to a direct question: Yes Sir, No Sir, Sir I do not know, and No excuse Sir. There *are* no other answers; there is no alternative phrasing.

If I want you to elaborate on your answer, I will instruct you to do so. You do *not* need to offer an explanation on your own.

Do not use contractions. "Sir I do not know" is acceptable, whereas "I don't know, sir" is not acceptable.

There is one and only one acceptable answer to a "Why" question. The answer is No excuse Sir.

Examples:

"Mister Jones, why did you not shine my shoes today?"

"No excuse, Sir."

"Mister Jones, why is the sky cloudy today?"

"No excuse, Sir."

This will strike you as silly at times, but there is a reason for this. The reason is that you are to take personal responsibility for your actions. Personal responsibility, you will find, is not silly.

You are responsible for recognizing which rule applies. So long as you think before you speak, this should be automatic.

Example:

"Mister Jones, what is the answer to a 'Why' question?"

"No excuse, Sir."

"Wrong answer. Try again."

"Sir. The answer to a 'Why' question is 'No excuse sir.' Sir."

"That is correct. Why didn't you get it right the first time?

"No excuse, Sir."

"That is correct."

There will be times when it would be better for you to not speak unless so invited. Should you care to risk it, the most respectful means is to ask one of the following two questions: Sir, may I make a statement?, or, Sir, may I ask a question? Should the answer be No, you would do well to stop speaking at that point.

The inflection is likewise important. It is generally best to speak in a firm, definite, voice, without sounding confrontational, so that there is no question that you understand and mean what you say.

Speak clearly, distinctly, definitely. Ensure you are understood the *first* time. That is a reason we use no alternative phrasing, and no contractions.

Think before you speak. Remember that you might not be granted permission to continue speaking, and thus might not have the ability to correct what you just said.

All stories contained herein are property and copyright 1994-2001 OldTom@rocketmail.com, all rights reserved. Please don't repost them or make them publicly accessible via FTP, mail server, or archive site without explicit permission. Permission is granted for one hard copy for personal use.