Authority

How are you with "authority figures"? Do you mind it when people have real or imagined authority over you? Do you recognize some people as having inherent authority? Would anyone care to discuss?

Thanks, Gems! These answers are very interesting to me. My own answer is this:

I respect authority only if I have given you permission to have authority over me. For instance, if you and I have agreed that you will be my boss in exchange for a paycheck, then I will do what you tell me to do within the confines of that working relationship. However, if anyone else within that organization tries to assert authority, I will resist. It seems that this train of thought could also apply to the military, but I know I couldn't handle dealing with authority on that level.

I don't recognize that some people have authority over me because a government organization has granted them that role; I simply understand that some people have guns and are willing to take away my freedom, so I need to do or say certain things when dealing with them.

I guess I'm saying that I'm really defiant of authority. If it's not a Gem trait, I wonder where it comes from?

Yes, maybe "defiant" is the wrong word. "Resistant" works better. I just don't recognize that any human has any right to hinder my autonomy unless I have specifically granted it.

Recently, I had a work situation in which a coworker was trying to assert her (imagined) authority. It got me thinking about authority in general.

i respect authority, if that is their possition/proffession. i can't stand assumed authority. i love my freedom and independence and will just quietly walk away.

i have no problem whatsoever with 'authority' figures who realize that they are human beings and are olbiged to treat others like equal humans when they have 'power'. those who lack this intelligence get what is coming to them when they act out of line to me. i automatically detest authority figures.

I don't really ever listen to anyone including my parents (they learned this the hard way). I am now in my 30's and my family is smart enough to know not to tell me what to do. As much as I dislike working for someone else I only listen to people I like regardless of your position in the company. If you are the big boss and I dislike you don't expect much from me conversation wise. If you ask for something you will get it without hesitation however I won't speak to you at all. There is one person that I work with that rubbed me the wrong way and I literally think hes psychotic, happens to be a bigger boss too. I say hi and bye, don't laugh at his jokes, etc. I am SUPER defiant. Always have been, always will be.