englishal, VFR and IFR and the difference between them have evertyhing to do with it, particularly if you are under active radar control within controlled airspace. As you were under active radar control (as I read your post), and you got avoidance advice from the controller, what's your problem? Why are you so averse to admitting that there is a danger of becoming complacent with loads of "kit" on board?
Prof Plum, thanks for your input. I know what is supposed to happen. Believe me, it doesn't always happen that way.
SoCal, the rules are effectively the same here for Class E Airspace - but there isn't much of it!