The Lurker's Guide to Gaim haute couture

[Greg Smith]

The Gaim are an insectiod species controlled by queens. The drones live to serve the queens' and exist only for the good of the hive.

So why does Babylon 5 have (according to the Station Guide):

The Sands of Time, which sells 'exceptional quality Gaim trinkets, from household ornaments to intricate jewellery.' Now the guide does mention this is a front for information gathering, so maybe the trinkets are produced specially for this front.

The Anthill, a friendly tavern, run by a Gaim. Okay, it doesn't say Gaim drink here, so maybe this is just an enterprising Gaim erratic who watched too much Cheers.

New Shell, a large store that sells exclusively Gaim clothing. 'A large number of people have come ... to simply marvel at the variety of clothing available for Gaim.' This one I really can't explain since the Gaim only wear environmental suits.

I read these back when I bought the station guide last year, and then hoped that maybe the Lurker's Guide to Gaim would explain these, because they in no way fitted in to the depiction of the Gaim from the LoNAW book. But now I am really at a loss.

 

[B_Steele]

The Sands of Time, which sells 'exceptional quality Gaim trinkets, from household ornaments to intricate jewellery.' Now the guide does mention this is a front for information gathering, so maybe the trinkets are produced specially for this front.

The Anthill, a friendly tavern, run by a Gaim. Okay, it doesn't say Gaim drink here, so maybe this is just an enterprising Gaim erratic who watched too much Cheers.

Also, the Queens recognise that commerce and social interaction are often one and the same. It is far easier to learn about others if they are diffused by otherwise "normal" spacefaring behaviours.

New Shell, a large store that sells exclusively Gaim clothing. 'A large number of people have come ... to simply marvel at the variety of clothing available for Gaim.' This one I really can't explain since the Gaim only wear environmental suits.

This entry never made any sense to me at all, so...to be frank...I ignored it. Gaim don't wear clothing. Suits and tool rigs, sure, but clothing? I cannot explain it either, because New Shell is utterly nonsensical.

-Bry

 

[Greg Smith]

Also, the Queens recognise that commerce and social interaction are often one and the same. It is far easier to learn about others if they are diffused by otherwise "normal" spacefaring behaviours.

... but clothing? I cannot explain it either, because New Shell is utterly nonsensical.

-Bry

I can understand the Gaim engaging in commerce, although I imagine it would be on a large scale, ie buying a ship load of Quantum-40, rather than opening a store on the Zocalo.

And jewellry and trinkets... nonsensical is the right description.