We need to bring the balance of power into equation

a Byzantine system of regulations

Otherwise, it communicates the casual hand shaker's seniority and superiority over the other in terms of status and power.

If any railway official, policeman, or member of the Forces on duty, requests the discontinuance of any particular form of observation or note-taking, it is clearly right to give immediate compliance, especially when it is borne in mind that public authorities now have very wide powers to hold members of the general public in custody while inquiries are being conducted as to their bona fides.