If you don't understand the motivation behind Git's design, you're in for a world of hurt. With enough flags you can force Git to act the way you think it should instead of the way it wants to. But that's like using a screwdriver like a hammer; it gets the job done, but it's done poorly, takes longer, and damages the screwdriver. Consider how a common Git workflow falls apart. 1. Create a branch off Master 2. Work 3. Merge it back to Master when done Most of the time this behaves as you ex