My better half got into a really terrible state before giving her talks, which I'd prepared for her. So I just told her to tell the Min. School Overseer that she wanted to take a break from the School for a while because of how it stressed her. He said OK, and TWO weeks later, handed me an assignment slip for her!!
I immediately handed it back to him and told him "No, she's not ready yet - it's only been two weeks!". How ignorant and controlling these little Napoleons are! They absolutely detest it when someone distances themselves from their grip!
I am not a naturally 'brave' person, but I have discovered over the past four or five years that all you have to do is look at an elder straight in the eye and confidently say 'NO', and they almost always back down immediately!
That's why a) they usually come at you in twos, and b) why I'll always refuse from now on to talk to more than one at a time about important matters - unless I'm allowed to have someone with me!
I think that they are genuinely scared of confronting an individual who is prepared to call their bluff!
