Quote: I can't see myself teaching someone to be something they've already claimed to be.
You can be one thing and also the other. Your perception is limited.
I'm good on both sides of the fence. It's not so much about "dom" and "sub". It's about things like "interaction" and "control" and "going with the flow" (or giving direction). etc.
People that are new to things are still grasping the nitty gritty details. Do you think someone that is new to the army knows how to be an elite well trained fighter just because they're a new soldier?
The best lesson I can give is this. Don't make it about the labels. Instead focus on addressing context itself. It helps prevent assumptions. Let situations speak for themselves (and state as such) basically.
Quote: so only extremely refined submissives who also have a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the slash can pull it off in a good way, and it begs the question why would they bother?
Being such a sub myself I can answer this. Because I like being treated in the ways I enjoy. It's simple really. As for how/when someone does things, that's where communication talks come into play. Think of it like having a sex talk. Or a "How can we have fun roelplaying" talk. Got to set the stage. Have some general idea of direction. But leave room for flow. Plans are only needed at the start. Then things being more spontaneous after the first few goes. Provided things are consistent of course. Like anything else, if that consistency is lacking it's going to send you back to square one again, due to "re-kickstarting" after waiting too long.
While someone else can do those things to me, it wouldn't be the same person. I want THEM to treat me like I matter. Which makes it possible for me to do the same in return. Needs are needs, you know. Once people make things fair things get more fun. Less worrying for the people involved. But if someone is selfish and one sided... Well, does anyone really want to be like that? I keep trying even then. And it works sooner or later (normally sooner). No one really wants to be that selfish one sided person. It just ends up causing headaches due to closed minded conversations. Once people start talking about "Fair and happy" and how to share their wants/needs together properly do things go better.
Basically, some people will have those unpleasant conversations because they're close minded. Now if such a person can hold a conversation with me the potential for improvement is always there at least.
Once someone turns a deaf ear and is a coward though (you know. Those types) it drastically decreases your odds. Yet even then I get those people to come around more often then not. Someone might wonder what I wanted to talk about. It's really damn hard to argue with "Happiness and agreements". Also, "What you don't know". That's a very important one too.
Be dogmatic for the truth, prove people assumed the worst too easily, state situations as they are (as a dom might) and suddenly "acting like a dom" can lead to having your leash yanked. The issue with subs in general is that they tend to lack that... Hmm... talent for getting through to some difficult people.