In the previous posts we covered basic positions that should now be familiar and perhaps you have worked out in your relationship that you want to employ them. If you need to review you can do that by going to the initial post. Today we will be learning an active position and one that can take on many forms.

Attending your Dominant can come in many ways, but the most common is when you are out mingling with people and you need to be available for subtle and conspicuous service. Entertain the idea for a moment that you are at a conference and are walking beside your Dominant and they are collecting brochures, free items and business cards, talking with people and generally engaging in the event. What could you provide them to make their interactions more smooth and comfortable?

Some of the things this post will cover is how to accept items for safekeeping, supplying items as they are needed and being prepared for anything your Dominant might need. Please feel free to customize the positions and ideas for your relationship.

Situation 1

You are instructed to be available to carry items as they are picked up. You position in relation to your Dominant should be on their dominant hand side. This way as they pick things up and decide to keep them, they do not have to cross their body or turn to give the item to you. You should quietly accept the item and secure it so that you hands are as free as possible to continue accepting items. This could be with the use of a basket, shopping cart or bag.

In a formal setting where your status can be more visible, this could include hand positions; one behind the back, and the other crossed at the front, palm up. This way when an item is handed to you, you are prepared to accept it with little movement. Try to stand right now and hold your hands this way. When walking you could place both hands behind your back and as soon as you are stopped, move it to the front to show availablity to take items.

Situation 2

Your position is to provide items such as business cards, pen and paper or other items as your Dominant needs them. In this role you are to actively engage with your Dominant's actions without invading their space. If you are not part of the exchange or activity you should be humble and silent. You could even try to keep your eyes lowered to show that you are not a part of the activity, but be ready for items.

My hope for this position, is that you do whatever offering gracefully and as effortless as possible. Standing at attention is good for this situation, but organization is imperative. Have whatever items your Dominant has asked to be available within easy reach and organized so you don't have to hunt for them. Business cards should be kept crisp and neat in a case, pen and paper could have a nice folder or case as well. Other items should show your care for them and hunting for them in your purse or bag is inappropriate and shows your unpreparedness.

Situation 3

The last situation is more about preparedness and is a learned trait as you know what the basic expectations are of you in situations where your attentiveness is needed. Start watching your Dominant engaging in different situations and see what they use or are of need of. Do they hunt for a pen? What about needing to consult a calendar? Are they frequently forgetting their sunglasses? These are things you could be the custodian for and then they never have to go hunting for them.

How is your presence unique in these situations? Can you make your Dominant more comfortable or easily provide information? Seek the uniqueness of your relationship and develop an attentive position or two for those moments.

Tomorrow we will be covering Serving Food and Drink.