generalization of any kind. It's a pragmatic decision. People who have jumped through the hoops to become admins are by and large more experienced and thoughtful people, so when you want to get something done, you're more likely to get it done if you ask an admin.
It comes down to the same thing though. Maybe if I dress up as an admin, I will look more "experienced and thoughtful". I thought there was a conscious effort to avoid ascribing any kind of prestige to adminship.
Anyway.
Steve