attention to what's currently traded amongst your people to get an idea of what is commonly produced for the exclusive purpose of marketing. I'm finding that there is a level of seasonality that is making the data a little difficult, so I'm narrowing things down categorically to try to get a base of organization to send to headquarters as an update."
"Categories of physical trades between the average human or is it more than that? Do you need to report on nonphysical trade and corporation production too?"
"Yes, the important thing is to be able to narrow down what could be useful outside of your world and what could be produced in a capacity that the trade would be possible. Obviously, a good starting place is what is already available, but I have to track possible trades based on all of Earth's resources. That includes understanding availability and ability to produce on a large scale, what exports might need some middle man, whether interaction is possible to instigate the production and trade process. It's a pretty involved study. You could help me understand what is available and used by humans as a starting perspective."
"Okay, I will do my best!" Cara gave a little salute, as she grinned back at him, her eyes alight with glee. "This time of year humans on this continent are very focused on seasonal trade because we have a lot of holidays around the end of the year with certain traditions. In the United States, because we're so diverse, we have several religious and other holidays, so depending on the culture, or religious background, there's Hannukah, Christmas, and then um, Kwanzaa and Boxing Day, that one's not religious I don't think, nor is New Year's, but that's January first. Here in the United States, we had our Thanksgiving holiday last month, but I think that's just an American holiday, while those others I mentioned are celebrated around the world."
Egrix grimaced at her mention of Christmas, something that had taken over his current research, despite his attempts to avoid the distasteful event.
"Christmas is probably one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. In America people get pretty into it, even those who are non-religious tend to celebrate some aspect of it, so it's a very large market here for the last three months of the year. I imagine that's something you've noticed in your research."
"Yes, I have been engulfed in this Christmas experience," he agreed bitterly. "It is atrocious."
Cara lifted her wide eyes to his and seemed to be taken aback at his opinion. "It can be a little overwhelming and overdone sometimes, but it's also a lot of fun." She must have seen the spark of irritation in the his expression because she frowned as if she didn't understand how he could come to such a conclusion. "It would be really exciting for those of us who celebrate this holiday to trade traditional holiday items across the cosmos, and I know humans would be ecstatic to search for prospective alien Christmas gifts."
Egrix scoffed aggressively, pulling his arms across his chest and turning his annoyed expression away from her small face. "Yeah right. Space trade isn't for pathetic practices of social exchange because that would be a waste of time and resources. Your human holidays are ridiculous, and I can assure you the planets in the union have no use for them."
He glanced back at her to see her face contorted in outrage. Cara's cheeks had a red sheen across them with her eyebrows pulled close together, creating a tiny wrinkle at the top of her nose. A small frown lay on her face, pulling the corners of her lips down and making them purse slightly with her frustration. He looked away again, aggravated that she was angry with him, and even more so because her expression was so cute. What a nuisance.
"You are completely missing the point of the holiday!" she demanded. "It's no secret that consumerism takes advantage of the season, and it's true that some only celebrate for that reason, but that's not what's important about the holiday!"
He scoffed, provoked into interrupting her. "No, of course that's not important. Causing humans unnecessary stress, wasting time, spending energy and resources only to push people to the point of committing suicide in unmatched numbers, that's what matters. This holiday is a precise example of why I don't like interacting with your species. You are all pathetic, selfish, shallow creatures. I'm surprised the Guild even wants to consider