“The smell of the Deep Space 3 comedy club is highly unpleasant and I do not care for this human concept of the ‘two drink minimum,’ but my feigned laughter seemed to please the Tellarite ambassador, which I feel will improve our chances in the grain shipment negotiations.”
Not to this level obviously, but there basically was a character like this in Enterprise. She was T’Pol’s hero, and shocked the crew of the Enterprise by being friendly, shaking hands, and wanting to try their food
Inversely there’s the one where Will Riker in TNG does this like a Klingon exchange student and absolutely kills it! He apparently makes for a top shelf Klingon.
It’s just the Star Fleet approach in pretty much every situation. They’re always the ones to make the accomodations
Season 1, episode 23, “Fallen Hero”, in case anyone was wondering.
It’s called masking. Rbf mode is real. A lifetime of neurodivergence can make you pretty good at parties.
Conclusion, Vulcans are just autistic.
People often ask me if I’m pissed off or if everything is okay if they catch me unawares.
Like no I just didn’t see you there and couldn’t get my face ready in time.
My wife has several immediate and extended family members on the spectrum and she still tells me things like “I don’t know why you say you don’t like parties, you did great and looked like you had a fantastic time”
Apparently “you were all SUPPOSED to think that” is not the correct response.
Human Diplomat: *Laughs at joke.*
Vulcan Diplomat (To Himself): This is great. I’m going to get a good grade in Party, something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve.
https://toast-the-unknowing.tumblr.com/post/737885534519738368/
It is logical to behave illogically when doing so will accomplish your goals.
That actually is quite logical.
I think any Vulcan would agree. It just makes sense to mirror the energy of your counterparts at a gathering. Even if you don’t understand why they’re doing something, you participating includes you in things. Being passive and externally emotionless sets you apart as “other”. Being vulcans, they would likely desire to know why, and would do their research.
I imagine alien-facing industries would have a whole section of their organization dedicated to studying alien socialization so they can be ready at interspecies functions.
Anything less would be illogical.
Now the real question is whether these vulcans who mix “too heavily” will end up becoming “less Vulcan-y” over time, or if other vulcans would treat them differently by default just because they’re “tainted”. We’ve seen how… Particular… Vulcans can be about the slightest divergence from “standard”.
Yeah, Vulcans are surprisingly bigoted and stiff.
That basically sounds like me at a party lol.
Thank you for your service to the empire
SPOCK: Captain, I believe you have made the right decision. If I can be of assistance, I would be happy to accompany you on the away team.
KIRK: You? Happy?
SPOCK: I was simply attempting to use your vernacular to convey an idea.
KIRK: Thank you, Mister Spock.
