Corollary to Kipling’s “A General Summary”

It’s a sad thing to realize that any interaction with authority figures must be governed by the realization that it is extremely difficult to tell in initial contact whether they are exercising legitimate authority. . . legitimately. Or not. Time can tell the tale, but giving up information unnecessarily in the beginning only gives illegitimate interlocutors more hooks to deceive and manipulate the interaction to your detriment. Concealing information from legitimate authority, until they prove their legitimacy and good will, can slow the process (whatever it may be) and possibly instill suspicion in them, but until their intent is proven worthy, questions to define the scope and sequence of the interaction ultimately followed, if necessary, with “Fifth Amendment. Lawyer,” seem to be the only safe strategy. (Tactics for safe obfuscation and reverse-interview *heh* can vary.)