"Don't you dare! You are not going to ruin the good first impression that I'm making here by telling him that a version of me favours corsets and silk stockings." He assumed he was making a good first impression. He saluted perfectly, complemented the man's beard, what else could a person expect? He was doing everything short of trying out the hypnotic stare that he usually reserved for attempting (unsuccessfully) to pick up women.

He was so set on that good first impression that he only belated realizes that he just said the thing he didn't want Lister to say. Smeg. Moving on quickly.

"So, what does it take to become an officer on this ship, sir?"