Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sovrk (Chief Science Officer) in Councilor’s Office- Checking in with the CNS

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Councilor’s Office- Checking in with the CNS

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sovrk (Chief Science Officer) in Councilor’s Office- Checking in with the CNS
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

She considered him for a moment. “Is that actually true? You experience emotions, but you choose to suppress them through a culturally adopted practice. But you also struggled to learn to suppress them, so you have experienced them and they do exist within you. Can you not then extend your understanding of a situation by using you own experiences, different though they may be, as a way of understanding what another person might be going through?”

~Sair Songz, CNS

Socrk tilted his head as he gave it consideration. “Yes we do, maybe you are right. I may be understanding of the situation. But that dosent mean that I understand empathy. It isn’t something that is practiced, at least not widespread. Yes it is difficult to learn how to suppress ones emotions, especially as an overly emotional species. It ended up being better for everyone that we did.”
Lt.J.G Sovrk, CSO

“I agree it looks different for everyone, and for different cultures. It’s important that we don’t judge another person’s actions and reaction based on our own understandings, even though in practice it can be much harder. Empathy is something that has a clear definition but is going to look vastly different through the different cultural lenses around us here on the ship.” Oh, how that was true, too! Sair had been experiencing that rather constantly since her arrival and in a mixed way as well.

Sovrk nodded. “It can be difficult to try to take in somones position at times. Some times cultures are vastly different, almost to be polar opposites. It is down to culture, and personal experience.”

“But let’s look at these situations of conflict, this double-edged sword. If you were to offer an observation that does not go over well with someone, and they are reactive in a perhaps negative way, what would you do?” Sair asked.

~Sair Songz, CNS

“I generally try not to offer forward my opinion, unless asked. At that time if asked for, and then rejected I would remind them that I had only said what I had on my mind because of the fact thwy asked. With that if they didnt really didnt want to know they shouldnt have asked me.” He said giving a small shrug.

Lt. J.G. Sovrk, CSO

“Ahh, but therein lay the complication, and where yes, you may struggle with this. You see, for many species who experience emotions and don’t practice a constant form of honesty in their exchanges, sometimes we react because poorly because someone’s comment actually rings true in some way. The truth can be confronting, uncomfortably so. No one lies to feel that discomfort, even if by sitting within it we can learn something valuable about ourselves. And then other times, someone can be just offensive. That happens all the time, due to those cultural biases we just spoke about.” Sair left it there for the moment, watching his reactions and curious how he would respond.

~Sair Songz, CSO

Sovrk nodded. “Yes, I am aware of such implications. Therefore I see it my best option would to be upfront about it when we meet. Tell them that I am honest, brutally so and that they should consider that if they do not want my honest opinion then then they would regret seeking it.”
Lt.J.G. Sovrk, CSO

“Do you find that to be effective and helps create a basis of understanding?” Sair asked. She was being careful not t couch her thoughts in certain ways that wouldn’t apply to Sovrk and his way of living and thinking, but at the same time it was important that on this multicultural ship that there was room for everyone to feel seen and heard.

~Sair Songz, CNS

“I would hope so. I do my best to respect others cultures, I also do see the importance of, and value the experiences and knoledge of others, as different perspectives at the same problem may help to solve that problem.” He said and nodded.
Lt. J.G. Sovrk, CSO

“So perhaps then, if I might offer a slightly different perspective, if you were to engage in social situations seeing the opportunity for an exchange of those experiences and knowledge first and with less focus on the potential for conflict or misunderstanding, you might find social situations less… difficult.”

~Sair Songz, CNS

Sovrk looked thoughtful. “It is possible.” His face though as passively emotionless as ever, there was a slight worried look in his eyes. “Though how I have done it thus far, has worked. I would like to change the topic.” He said before shaking his head. He then looked at Sair. “As it is with everyone, we must too build a relationship I believe. So with that.. What do you do while you are off duty?”
Lt. J.G. Sovrk, CSO

Interesting. Sair filed a little note away in the back of her mind for when she was writing out her notes and instead focused on his question. There were many therapeutic modalities and Sair’s did not eschew personal connection with her patients. But she had to be careful to not tip too far into her own life where the focus was supposed to be on Sovrk. “When I’m not on duty, I’m usually caring for my son, who is three, or spending time with my parents who are here for a time. And lately I have resumed playing a Kobliad musical instrument that is important to me.”

“What about yourself?”

~Sair Songz, CNS

Sorvk gently ran his fingers aling his chin. “I see. Well, I like to keep at work, so likely even off duty I would be doing domething in my field of study. Experiments or looking for new discoveries.” He said. “Or, I do like to practice my hand at botany from time to time. I have not been close to many in my life.”
Lt.J.G. Sovrk, CSO

Bump