Playing with people you respect

[elmo]

Ever since I started playing poker, I have been incredibly uncomfortable playing against people who I know and respect. I tend to convince myself that there is no way they would fold to my bluff/semibluff, and find myself going to showdown way too often.

Has anyone else had this problem, and does anyone have any suggestions for what I can do to get over this, short of not playing the same tables? Thanks