Lt. JG Natasha Cole - From Chalk to Cultural Insight
Natasha Schell
(( Auditorium - Operations Center, Deck 5, USS Artemis-A ))
Imril: It’s easy to think of all Andorians as duelists or Ferengi as greedy, when those traits are generally held up as a society’s most likely means to be successful in life. The people that succeed at being those things are the ones outsiders are more likely to interact with and be given impressions by. Take Grand Nagus Rom. He was pretty anonymous, for a Ferengi. Just some guy who was better at engineering than profit-generating, tinkering away in the background out of view while his brother openly and eagerly chased latinum… Until, one day, he was running Ferengenar and challenging some of the things his people are stereotyped for.
Tho'Bi: What they have …works for them. …Profit is their knife fight.
Imril: And the Rules Of Acquisition their Art Of War.
Cole: ::turning towards Imril and Tho’Bi:: That is an excellent comparison
Bergmen: May I have your attention, please?
Tho'Bi: Maybe the real bias is The Federation's insistence we know best…
Imril: The Federation has done things that leave a bad taste in some mouths, too. The treatment of Synths after Mars, for instance. And augments and ex-Bs who were changed or assimilated against their will. All that suspicion and discrimination, over horrible things which none of them were responsible for.
Cole: Those kinds of biases… they don’t come from policy. They come from fear. And fear makes people cruel. … ::quite:: I’ve seen that up close. ::beat:: So yeah, the Federation stumbled sometimes hard. But I also know people who would bend the whole galaxy to keep those same groups safe now. We’re messy, and we’re not perfect. But I think we try to be better than we were.
Natasha caught Bergmen’s movement towards the desk out of the corner of her eye, pulling her focus as he tossed a … piece of … chalk into the audience. She was surprised Ollie hadn’t tried flicking the lights on and off several times. He was however successful and had at least recaptured her attention.
Bergmen: So, now that I have your attention, yes, I agree
that prejudice isn't something we should indulge in. But let's get back to the
lesson's topic. (beat) Ferenginar and what we can expect…
Bergman paused for a brief moment and set down the other piece of chalk he had
been holding, and scooped up the clicker to change the slide behind him.
Bergmen: So, there are ten basics you should know when visiting Ferenginar.
::points to slide:: Be prepared for constant rain and humidity. Pack waterproof
clothing and shoes to stay comfortable. (beat) Ferengi culture values profit
above all. Understanding their customs and practices can help you navigate
interactions successfully. (beat) Bargaining is not just accepted; it's
expected! Always negotiate prices in markets and shops for the best deals.
(beat) The local currency is the Ferengi D'Ar. It's essential to familiarize
yourself with the exchange rate to avoid any confusion when making purchases.
::turns to audience:: Questions so far?
Tho'Bi: ::holding the object up:: What is this?
Cole: I believe it’s a piece of chalk, for writing on black boards.
Imril: Response
Tho'Bi: Thank you. ::looks down at object:: Chalk.
Natasha smiled and gave Tho’Bi a polite nod. Turning back towards Bergmen she gave him her attention again. Choosing to wait till the end.
Imril: Response
Bergmen: Ok, remember these questions, they will be answered after the
remaining five advisory notes on this slide. ::pause and look at the slide::
While public transport is available, consider hiring a local guide to help you
navigate the city more efficiently, especially if you're unfamiliar with the
area. (beat) Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations, especially
those related to business practices and trade. (beat) Building connections can
significantly enhance your experience. Attend local events or gatherings to
meet Ferengi entrepreneurs and merchants. (beat) Don’t miss the capital city,
known for its striking architecture and vibrant markets. Make a list of
must-see places to make the most of your visit. (beat) And importantly, last
point: while Ferenginar is relatively safe, keep an eye on your belongings,
especially in crowded areas.
Bergmen turned his attention back to the crowd and smiled.
Bergmen: And this summarizes the mandatory lesson, and we can come back to your
questions or comments for discussion if you still have any.
Tho'Bi: ::raising his hand:: Do you want your chalk back? :: holds up chalk::
Cole: Are there places you would recommend to someone visiting Ferenginar for the first time?
Bergman/Jaran/Imril: Response
Tho'Bi: I keep my D'Ar in my top pocket ::taps chest:: Ferengi can't reach.
Natasha let out a laugh, but stifled it quickly. She appreciated Tho’Bi’s … approach to things.
Bergman/Imril: Response
Tho'Bi: There is a holosuite that models the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 REFIT right down to the wiring. It's really good noodles. …I've been three times.
Cole: That sounds like a fun attraction.
Jaran: What can you tell me about Ferengi religion? Is it accurate to say that commerce is their religion? Is it structured? I have so many questions! ::laughs::
Natasha was intrigued by Jaran’s round of questions. Admittedly she, like others, presumed profit was the Ferengi religion. She listened intently.
Bergman/Imril/Tho'Bi: Response
Jaran: That's, of course, valid. But it really does seem genuine to me. Does it not to you?
Cole: I’m curious how their culture has been adapting since the Ferengi Feminist Revolution, I know some societies struggled for decades if not longer after similar movements.
Bergman/Imril/Tho'Bi/Jaran: Response
Tags/TBC
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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4