Originally Posted by
essxjay
Obviously, one can make a demand w/o anger or implied invective attached, for example: "May I see your ID?" vs. "I'd like to see some ID, please," said in a calm, steady voice. I'm not sure that couching such a command -- yes, they are compelled to produce ID -- in the form of a questions buys one any better luck or fewer problems, per se.
I think you are correct that there's no guarantee that "authority" won't bounce off the wall anyway.