Diplomatic Officer's Report - Guidelines for Conduct with Members of the Klingon Empire

Posted on 28 Feb 2015 @ 6:15pm by Lieutenant JG Wakeham Paul Alasia Ph.D.
Edited on 28 Feb 2015 @ 6:21pm

707 words; about a 4 minute read

Exploration of social mores - and more specifically, the differences in social mores - between the Federation and the Klingon Empire is one of the most robust research programs in all international relations and interstellar sociology. Yet, consensus on how to conduct oneself in the presence of Klingon warriors in a diplomatic or war scenario is still elusive (P'etyar, Hoethe & McCuen, 2386). Klingons are a people as varied as any in the galaxy. However, very few, perhaps no other societies labor under the pure tonnage of social expectations heaped upon men and women in the Empire, especially those who serve as warriors. Maintaining what Martha Sabatier called the "most thoroughly institutionalized" warrior facade in the galaxy (2376) comes with some psychic costs of those in the Empire. For that reason, even despite our longstanding alliance with the Klingons, diplomatic contact, military cooperation and cultural exchange can all be rather fraught.

Moreover, since most Klingons are constantly paying that psychic cost of maintaining that facade and warrior spirit, they expect the same of their allies. Indeed, cultural contact with Klingons is nearly always done on their terms (Tilar, 2364; Tilar & Horris, 2367; Hoethe, 2387, J'ahtohk et al., 2388).

As idiosyncratic as contact with the Klingon Empire can be there are several phenomena common enough to merit their own exploration.

(1) Some Klingons are fond of what Sabatier calls "tests and games of social currency." Klingons are fond of literal games of strength to determine physical prowess which is often synonymous with a generalized notion of "worthiness" both as a potential social compatriot and warrior. However, Klingons will engage in rhetorical tests as well. For example, it is common for a Klingon to act insulted or angry at a tiny perceived slight to determine their interlocutor's mental toughness. Thousands of accounts exist of Klingons threatening to kill someone from another culture only to near instantly drop the facade with laughter, a joke and/or a shared drink if the other displays sufficient fortitude.

(2) Officially, Klingons operate much of their military hierarchy and statecraft on notions of supremacy as a warrior. However, in practice, this facet of Klingon culture is almost always overstated. While it is true the life expectancy is substantially shorter for a Klingon warrior than a member of Starfleet most accounts of Klingon military conduct would give the impression that all warriors die and quickly in a blaze of glory. Were that true, the ensuing chaos would make it so the Klingon Empire could never have been able to ascend to its position as a galactic power. Most Klingon warrior rely on the perception of their greatness as a warrior moreso than truly proving it on a constant basis. However, that perception is the lynchpin of their entire society. Thus, if a Klingon fails to respond to a threat or insult, their position in society, their position in the military and occasionally, their very lives are threatened. Klingons must be afforded the space to assert themselves as warriors, even if Starfleet personnel may find their conduct boorish or even horrifying.

(3) Any confrontation with a Klingon has the potential to turn physical and any physical altercation could result in death. The Federation alliance has demonstrated remarkable resilience to confrontations between Federation/Starfleet delegations and their Klingon counterparts. There is little the Federation can or will do in retaliation for an attack from a Klingon against a Federation antagonist. As such, tread lightly.

(4) Klingons are an intelligent species with a vast and expansive cultural history. Klingons are nearly always better versed in Federation culture than the reverse - Shakespeare, for example, is widely read throughout the Empire - particularly the histories such as Richard III. The single most common mistake that prevents cultural understanding is for Federation personnel and citizens to treat a Klingon as an unwise brute. This manner of stereotyping is usually an enormous hindrance to diplomatic contact. Respect of a Klingons ability as a warrior is common. Conversely, respect for their culture, statecraft, myth-making and galactic wisdom is comparatively rarer and nearly always appreciated.

I am available to discuss any concerns or questions ahead of the upcoming mission. Good luck and Godspeed to all the crew. Let's kick some ass in the games.

Wakeham Alasia
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

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