The Yillian Way

One episode from Retief of many, when the junior diplomat Vice-Consul for Earth in space makes incompetent superiors like Ambassador Magnan look good. Yillians typically insult, so the correct attitude is to snap back, or first. At a banquet, Retief acts rude to get approval from the aliens. On the flight in, he read the language manual, so translates the signs on the garbage van transport correctly and responds appropriately.