I've heard that there were people who were bothered by the Garak and Ziyal "romance," such as it was, feeling that Garak was much too old for her, etc. I for one, never found it disturbing. I even kind of liked it. Here's why:
1.) I never thought Garak's intent was to "seduce" Ziyal. I saw as more Garak just being lonely and missing his own kind (even though Ziyal was half-Bajoran).
2.) I never really thought their relationship went beyond the "holding hands and talking" phase. They kissed in "A Call to Arms," a kiss which Ziyal initiated, and it was probably the first (and only) time they kissed. If anything, Ziyal was probably the one that was more "agressive" in the relationship, i.e., more eager to label it as romance. Garak seemed both flattered and puzzled by her attachment to him.
3.) There is nothing inherently wrong with May-December relationships as long as both parties are consenting adults.
4.) Despite the subtext, we were never going to get Garak/Bashir, but Garak/Ziyal kind of parallels Garak/Bashir. In both cases, Garak is drawn to someone who is younger and relatively "innocent," and in both cases, he is rather puzzled as to why they show compassion for him, why they care for him.
I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.
1.) I never thought Garak's intent was to "seduce" Ziyal. I saw as more Garak just being lonely and missing his own kind (even though Ziyal was half-Bajoran).
2.) I never really thought their relationship went beyond the "holding hands and talking" phase. They kissed in "A Call to Arms," a kiss which Ziyal initiated, and it was probably the first (and only) time they kissed. If anything, Ziyal was probably the one that was more "agressive" in the relationship, i.e., more eager to label it as romance. Garak seemed both flattered and puzzled by her attachment to him.
3.) There is nothing inherently wrong with May-December relationships as long as both parties are consenting adults.
4.) Despite the subtext, we were never going to get Garak/Bashir, but Garak/Ziyal kind of parallels Garak/Bashir. In both cases, Garak is drawn to someone who is younger and relatively "innocent," and in both cases, he is rather puzzled as to why they show compassion for him, why they care for him.
I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.
I seriously always thought it meant that people get together in the summer and break up in the winter. Boy, do I feel foolish. 
