Being married to/dating a Betazoid-Hypothetical Idea

[Joel_Kirk]

While reading 'Losing the Peace,' I recall Beverly thinks 'something' that is immediately picked up by one of her Betazoid officers....Byxthar....

It had me thinking that if one were to date or marry a Betazoid, there wouldn't be many secrets.

Lwaxana was able to pick up on various men having naughty thoughts about her....(and had no qualms about letting it out in the open). She was even able to project her feelings onto others; I'm thinking of the DS9 episode where everyone fell in love with one another.

I focus on dating or married to a Betazoid because the question of privacy would come up. (I don't think it would come up if one were just an acquaintance)...

Too, I'm looking at this in a sense that it is a human/Betazoid relationship; maybe that human has fallen for the Betazoid companion due to the 'exotic' factor...

A Vulcan/Betazoid relationship would be pretty interesting given that both are telepaths, or empathic....and Vulcans tend to share a more telepathic bond with their mates.

The idea of 'asking' the partner to not monitor the thoughts would be obvious, but how would you handle it?

You're going into the relationship knowing where your partner's origin; obviously you're getting into the relationship because of 'love'....but...

Vale actually wanted to come clean to Deanna during the Destiny novels after she--Vale--and Riker shared a prolonged 'hug' while Deanna was on an away mission...and Deanna read her thoughts and half-jokingly told her not to do it again.

The cool thing is: You would know have insight on foreign thoughts...i.e. thoughts that aren't your own; an upper-hand in casinos or any other gaming facility....etc...etc...etc..

However, your thoughts will still be out in the open; no matter how much 'in love' one may be...one, especially humans, value some privacy every now and then...

For example:

Human Significant Other(coming through the door; thinking): Ahhh, peace...and quiet! I'll be able to get some work done before 'so-and-so' comes back from their outing...

*notices light in other room*

HSO (thinking): Damn!

*Betazoid Significant Other comes out*

BSO: Well, excuse me for coming home early!

HSO: Well, I didn't exactly mean it that way. I-uh-uhhh....

BSO: Remember, I can hear your thoughts...

HSO:

***

 

[Myasishchev]

I'd assume that Betazoids would either rapidly become accustomed to jerky thoughts, or go neurotic from it. Even in their own society, they're going to be buffeted by negative thoughts all the time anyway. Look at Lwaxana, she seems fine despite the fact her daughter is dreadfully embarassed of her and she knows it. Among themselves, Betazoids are probably used to the wall of honesty they smack into on a daily basis.

It follows that telepathic cripples would have to immunize themselves to it, too. Polite Betazoids wouldn't mention the interesting things they pick up, but impolite ones would, and you would know that both kinds know what you're thinking regardless. Anyone involved with one would very shortly get used to it, or get out.

"If you want me to stop staring, you should stop walking around naked."

Then again, I wonder how many human/Betazoid relationships ended with the shame of realizing that their significant other could totally feel them poop.

 

[kes7]

Then again, I wonder how many human/Betazoid relationships ended with the shame of realizing that their significant other could totally feel them poop.

For me, poop is not emotional. For you, it may be different. I suppose if I was a Betazoid, I'd know.

 

[WillsBabe]

I imagine that Betazoids living and working around Humans would quickly get to know that Humans say and do one thing but feel entirely another. I think it might be more difficult for the Betazoid than the Human.

 

[PSGarak]

I think both sides of the couple would have to possess a lot of tolerance and emotional maturity. Batazoid society is pretty much open and honest because it has to be. If somebody can read your mind and your emotions, what is the point of lying? Of course, they could become less honest with a non-telepathic counterpart, but I can't see that they would perceive much value in such deception, particularly with a loved one. The human would have to get used to not just a loss of privacy but a partner who is possibly sometimes brutally or embarrassingly honest.

The Betazoid would have to have the ability to allow the human to be human without being too judgmental about it or projecting Betazoid values onto their partner. In human society, it's almost imperative that we don't say everything we think and that we say things completely counter to what we think in order to keep jobs, function in general society, and perhaps even stay out of trouble with the law. Total honesty is not the best policy for a human being, and that would be an incredibly difficult habit to break. The Betazoid would have to be able to understand that just because the human doesn't speak his or her mind, it doesn't automatically equal deliberate attempts at deception.

Different people would be comfortable with different levels of mind reading and mind access. They'd have to be able to set those boundaries, and the human would pretty much have to trust that their partner was sticking to the rules. There would be no real way to tell unless the Betazoid reacted to something that was supposed to be private. Over time, I think comfort levels on both sides would increase as long as there weren't breaches of trust. I personally would not enjoy living with a mind reader, and I know I'd never want to be one.

 

[chakotay_lover]

I were all my emotions on my sleeve, I am so open and honest that I wouldnt mind living with a betazoid, in fact it would be so much easier than living with a human man that can never understand the way i feel or why or what I am thinking. So it depends on what type of person you are. riker didnt mind or have a problem. cause hes awesome. it would be great to be a betazoid wife or girlfriend cause I would know the truth all the time, and my boyfriend couldn lie...that would be awesome

 

[Joel_Kirk]

I were all my emotions on my sleeve, I am so open and honest that I wouldnt mind living with a betazoid, in fact it would be so much easier than living with a human man that can never understand the way i feel or why or what I am thinking. So it depends on what type of person you are. riker didnt mind or have a problem. cause hes awesome. it would be great to be a betazoid wife or girlfriend cause I would know the truth all the time, and my boyfriend couldn lie...that would be awesome

But Troi was half-Betazoid, so there were some emotions even she couldn't feel; I'm assuming that humans may be a bit easier...

I like everyone's comments.....!