I expect controllers to let me go about my business without them getting in my way if I can do so safely. And if I can't do that safely (e.g. because of other traffic, or because I'm doing something wrong, or because I'm lost) then I expect them to help everyone find a safe, practical alternative.
Occassionally, we all screw up. If someone is keeping an eye on me and spots me screwing up, I'd expect them to tell me about it. But on the other hand I know that controllers, even when they're providing me with a service, are too busy to watch me every second, so I never rely on them.
This goes for every type of "controller", from an air/ground operator (not technically a controller, I know) through to a tower controller at a busy airfield or a LARS controller. The only difference between them is the equipment and training they have to be able to help me safely in various different situations. For example, an air/ground operator does not have the equipment or training to be able to safely give me instructions, in general, but does have lots of local information which might be useful to help me avoid an unsafe situation. (But there's always an exception which proves the rule.)
FFF
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