# Science fiction fans: how "alien" is too alien to sleep with? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737 "2008-08-20T23:15:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/1 "2008-08-20T23:15:12Z")
Filmed science fiction and fantasy is, for obvious reasons, replete with non-human characters played by human actors. Sometimes only a [nominal](http://downwiththeinternet.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/major-kira-nerys-2.jpg) [effort](http://rdanderson.com/stargate/cast/tealc.jpg) is made to make the actor look other than human; otherwise quite a bit of [work](http://wwwai.wu-wien.ac.at/~franz/Startrek/gifs/Personen/quark.gif) [goes](http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/babylon_5__the_complete_third_season/andreas_katsulas/babylon5.jpg) into it. Which brings me to the thread question. In terms of sexual attractiveness, what sf aliens are too alien for you? Contrariwse, who is made positively yummy by their minor differences? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/2 "2008-08-20T23:18:45Z")
Too alien? Do I have to strap on an adapter and can I feel my hands afterwards? No? Then I’d Kirk 'em. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/3 "2008-08-20T23:19:48Z")
It all depends on how big her boobs are (well, okay, not really. But it’d be nice if she had 'em) and if, in fact, she qualifies as a _her_. Beyond that, fur wouldn’t be out of the question, provided she had good grooming skills. I draw the line at tentacles and stingers. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/4 "2008-08-20T23:27:12Z")
Hey, G’kar was hot for a reptile dude. I’d have to stick with mostly humanoid. The details don’t matter, as long as they’re reasonably similar to humans in the important waysT&A. [Tentacles](http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/gq_028FredLaliari.jpg) are out. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/5 "2008-08-20T23:31:51Z")
No slime, melting, or puddling. Nothing “chitinous” either – grasshoppers freak me out. Scales would be fine. I’ve petted snakes and like the way they feel. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/6 "2008-08-20T23:32:35Z")
Considering that I’ve slept with humans I find rather unattractive, and fallen in love with them to boot, I’m not sure I could rule anything out. Short of personal damage, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/7 "2008-08-20T23:34:32Z")
I’m rather surprised that no one’s rejected Klingons out of hand. That’s some trans-species lovemaking that could be a might [dangerous](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsfj2dk6KNg) . ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/8 "2008-08-20T23:38:17Z")
I’m not adverse to shape shifters (say he might _sometimes_ appear as a black dog\*, or really be a crow) that have human forms too but that’s about as exotic as I’m willing to go. \ ***not** a ref. to Harry Potter. Sirius Black was human. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/9 "2008-08-20T23:38:55Z")
Generally mammaliam, preferably humanoid, but a lot would depend on the individual alien. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/10 "2008-08-20T23:43:13Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] [Tentacles](http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/gq_028FredLaliari.jpg) are out. [/QUOTE] Oh, that’s not RIGHT! A generally humanoid form, including compatible sexual organs is a must, beyond that… Odd coloured skin, fine. Animalistic traits - fur, scales, claws, tails, muzzles, fangs, wings, pointed ears - all good. Bonuses, even. A beak might throw me, though. Extra limbs - fine (see above). Even tentacles. \>\_\> ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/11 "2008-08-20T23:45:59Z")
D’lenn - do-able M’ress - do-able Horta - not do-able ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/12 "2008-08-20T23:48:33Z")
[QUOTE=AuntiePam] Nothing “chitinous” either – grasshoppers freak me out. [/QUOTE] kell. I’m not entirely sure that I agree. ner. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/13 "2008-08-20T23:50:45Z")
Centauri are out (they fall under the tentacle rule). Which is a shame because Vir was kind of cute. Pak’ma’ra are out because…well, they smell like their food. Which is usually long dead before they get to it. Ew. And they fall under the [tentacle rule](http://www.midwinter.com/ftp/pub/Babylon-5/Pictures/Characters/pakmara.jpg), also. ---
**Author:** ![Elysium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Elysium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysium)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/14 "2008-08-20T23:53:23Z")
The khepri race in Perdido Street Station was a bit too alien for me. I can understand how Issac loved Lin, but his descriptions of her bug face and stuff was a bit creepy during the love-making scenes. I guess bug-heads are too alien for me. Also anything too… furry-ish would creep me out. I guess I’m a bit xenophobic. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/15 "2008-08-20T23:56:35Z")
[QUOTE=Elysium] The khepri race in Perdido Street Station was a bit too alien for me. I can understand how Issac loved Lin, but his descriptions of her bug face and stuff was a bit creepy during the love-making scenes. I guess bug-heads are too alien for me. Also anything too… furry-ish would creep me out. I guess I’m a bit xenophobic. [/QUOTE] So no [Cheetara](http://www.geocities.com/mspilker2000/cheetara_.jpg)? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/16 "2008-08-21T00:02:10Z")
I likes me some aliens that are based on more-or-less ideal human female forms with one or two exotic accessories. (No prob with a Twi’lek dancer. No sir.) Moties don’t hold a lot of appeal. Asymmetric or covered in dense fur? No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/17 "2008-08-21T00:04:01Z")
While I’m thinking about the OP, let me be pedantic in the service of fighting ignorance (returning the favor that many on this board have done for me). [QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] I’m rather surprised that no one’s rejected Klingons out of hand. That’s some trans-species lovemaking that could be a might [dangerous](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsfj2dk6KNg) . [/QUOTE] A _mite_ dangerous. [QUOTE=elfkin477] I’m not adverse to shape shifters . . . . [/quote] You’re not _averse_. Okay; short of anything that will cause me permanent physical or psychological damage, the opportunity to nail an alien would be too important to pass up. Game on. (Unless I’m just not into her/it.) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/18 "2008-08-21T00:05:27Z")
Hate to say it, but it would have to look basically human male. I can handle skin colors, scales, lumps & bumps here and there, maybe the odd tail, or tentacle, or horns, but it’s got to look human male-ish. Unless we’re doing one of those mind-meld sex things. I hear they’re pretty hot. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/19 "2008-08-21T00:06:24Z")
1. Is there a comfortable Slot B for my Tab A to insert into? That is the first question I would have. 2. After that, it depends on the cuddle factor - can I wrap my arms around them and hold them without hurting myself? Give me those two, and I am well on the way to Kirking them (I LOVE that term **Love Rhombus**!) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737/20 "2008-08-21T00:10:48Z")
[QUOTE=Baldwin] While I’m thinking about the OP, let me be pedantic in the service of fighting ignorance (returning the favor that many on this board have done for me). A _mite_ dangerous. [/quote] Thank you for the correction; I quite appreciate it. Unfortunately my vengeance engine was on “automatic” when you made it, so several dozen genetically engineered, winged, flame-breathing, et cetera howler monkeys have been dispatched to your location. You might want to head to the basement. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-fans-how-alien-is-too-alien-to-sleep-with/460737.md?page=2)