[nhramnl]

I think we have to remember that officials generally develop a certain mentality. They're given a job that that has authority, which translates to power, in their mind. With that power comes the inherent belief that they're right and fair, because, they rationalize, if they weren't inherently right and fair, they wouldn't have been chosen to be an official. When someone challenges them, their authority and power are questioned or disrespected, and all but the most secure individual gets indignant (to some degree), essentially saying "How dare you challenge my authority! The people who run this thing see my leadership ability and made me an official". In order to have a chance to make a point with an official then, we have to come from a position that shows respect for the authority and power the official THINKS they have. That allows them to maintain their self-esteem and save face.