What is it about protocols anyway? Why do some Master's use them heavily and others don't and what are they? In short the word means: " code of correct conduct”. A Master (especially if He identifies with the Old Guard traditions) will always have protocols. A Master's protocols define what He considers to be a "correct code of conduct" which serves to guide His slaves by specific rules of behavior, dress, work, cleanliness and many other things. Having protocols in place assures a Master that He can rely on reproducible results from His slaves. Simply, Master's use protocols in order to provide effective governance structure in the relationship. If protocol is broken then the Master generally has some method of punishing the slave for his breach.

A Master's protocols tell a slave a lot about a Master's focus and what is important to Him. If a Master values organization and orderliness then He will likely have protocols that direct a slave to focus on those things. Inexperienced Masters or Masters new to the craft may not have very clearly defined protocols, or His protocols may be only focused on method or how He wants His boots shined. Experienced Masters have learned to hone their protocols to be precise and clear. This is generally the mark of an experienced Master.

A Master who uses protocols often will receive negative comments from so-called slaves who are really subs who think they are slaves. A sub does not understand that a Master's protocols help the slave to stay focused and provide him with definitions of behaviors that the Master wants the slave to perform. True slaves welcome a Master's protocols and so any negative feedback from a slave should serve as a red flag to the Master considering him.

Protocols allow a Master to design certain regulations for the slave so that the slave understands exactly what a Master's requirements are. Specific protocols also allow the Master more freedom and more time from having to continuously tell His slave what to do and how to do it. In the largest sense a Master's protocols allow Him to be able to rely on repeatable outcomes or consistency in the slave’s actions and behaviors.

In My opinion, many Master's make the mistake of overdoing the protocols by restricting a slave's natural abilities. A Master must be balanced and take into account the abilities a slave already possesses. A Master who designs His protocols with wisdom will assess the talents and abilities of a slave and decide whether a protocol is even necessary or whether or not His protocol will further define a slave's talents and abilities allowing a slave to improve. This method assists the Master to discover the slave's weaknesses so that He can direct the slave's training in certain areas.

What Protocols Are NOT

Many inexperienced Masters mistakenly think that protocol is used to tell a slave how to wash dishes, clean the carpets, make the coffee. These things are defineable methods not a "code of correct conduct”. A code of correct conduct is how the slave should act and react when in the company of the Master or social situations. For example, consider this scenario:

Master has guests for dinner. Wine is being served. Instead of sitting at the table and ordering the slave to do certain things the Master employs hand signals that no one else but the slave is aware of the meaning. Master wants the wine glasses refilled to He holds up to fingers to His left ear. The slave knows to por the wine as silently as possible. The part that is protocol is that the slave is to pour the wine silently. The method might be that the Master has instrcuted the slave to always pour from the right with a clean towel wrapped around the neck of the bottle in case the wine drips it will not drip on the guest or on the table cloth. That is method.

A code of correct conduct speecifically addresses behavior NOT the way something should be done, which is the method of the way something should be done. For instance, I maintain a household manual for the slaves. I do this because I have multiple slaves. To put any differences of opinion to rest about the way something is to be done all a slave has to do is to refer to the manual to get a clear understanding of how I want things done.

APPEARANCE AND DRESS

• T-shirts, sleeveless t's or tank tops work for outer wear, plain black, white or red fit most occasions as do leather bar/event logo shirts. Some Leathermen adhere to an old tradition of white t-shirts for boys and slaves while Daddies and Masters Wear Black.


• New or worn black or blue jeans are regulation with or without chaps.


• Army fatigues, jean cutoffs or leather shorts are all appropriate. Black combat boots, Doc Martins or black lace up work boots are good foot wear for all Leather scenes.


• The masculine look of wearing boots (work, climbing, or hiking) of any color with cut offs or shorts may elicit negative personal bias among some Leather Men.


• The baggy and oversized clothes of many young Men and boys, symbolic of today's raw unrestrained male energy may draw reproach from some strict Leather enthusiasts.


• Never, ever wear underwear, even when allowed to wear street clothing, this includes thongs and bikinis! Don't! If something must be worn under jeans or shorts wear a jock, athletic or leather.


• Chaps, bare-assed or with jeans should fit as designed.


• Wearing a jacket, leather or Levi over a bare chest or a harness is okay.


• If you're going to wear a cap it should preferably be a baseball cap, black or black leather. Wear it brim forward. The leather "rebel" boy hats are an "old Guard" influence.


• Wear your keys and hankies on the right -- flag correctly and consistently.


• If you are a boy looking for a Daddy or a slave looking for a Master don't wear a collar or a lock and chain around your neck. Hanging these symbols of servitude and submission along with keys on the right is OK. If you are unowned then don't wear them, merely carry them.


• If you are a boy with a Daddy or currently the slave property of a Master wear the Daddy's or Master's collar or lock and chain at all times especially when in a leather friendly environment. These symbolize your commitment, submission and subjugation to Your Daddy or Master's Will, for all to see.


• Never wear tennis shoes with leather anything.


• At Formal Leather Functions wear all black consisting of black leather or black jeans. Where laws allow boys and slaves may attend in a natural state (naked) with the minimum of leathers required not only to satisfy local and state statutes but to show respect for your Master or Daddy according to His desires.


• Shaved head, military cut, Mohawk, or moderate to shoulder length hair, should always be neat and clean.


• In the confines of the Master's Home or the Home of someone in the Master/slave Leather Community the slave is generally kept naked.


• Any article of clothing or item Placed on a slave shall remain there until the Master Removes it. A slave shall never remove anything that the Master Places on the slave.