oh that's such a good point! because even if those women aren't in the scene (especially both Dax) he'll still say sexist things or make sleezy comments about them. even Keiko and Kasidy, who he interacts with on screen less than Ziyal.
the funniest reason that Quark wouldn't mess with Ziyal is that she is born from a vindictive murderous man like Dukat, and is being raised and mentored (and possibly romantically involved with either of them, based on head canon) by Kira and Garak, who are the two people who could and would kill him. but I don't think Quark thinks that way. he constantly making dumb decisions while thinking with his lobes or his love for latinum.
and he already is involved in Ziyal's dating life! he gets Ziyal that spa holoprogram and knows about the date with Garak (romantically or not, depending on head canon) in For the cause. Quark definitely thinks of it as romance:
he's still sexist in the scene by implying men and women can't be platonic friends, but I fear the writers would have agreed with this statement at the time.
so yes he definitely thinks it's romantic between them. I also don't think he's trying to mess with Garak here, he's too casual about it in-between the fitting of his pants. the joke seems to be about Garak being paranoid. my head canon is that this is Quark playing incompetent matchmaker, like he did with Kira and Bareil, and Kira and Odo's anniversary. it's good for business and at least one dangerous person on the station is a little distracted.
but what's so interesting is that he's very respectful compared to the usual. most times he says how women are not to be trusted, and he does the opposite with Ziyal. compared to how he talks about Keiko to Miles (Fascination) and about Kasidy to Sisko (Indiscretion):
it's so different and that's so interesting!
I especially love this interaction between them, it's one of my favorite Ziyal scenes (from By inferno's light)
there is no sleeze from Quark, but there is also no distate for his business from Ziyal. maybe that's part of the reason their interaction is different?
most of Starfleet members on the station are negative towards Quark and his Ferengi values, Kira hates him for collaborating, and Odo distrusts him for being a criminal. he gets along with some of the main cast in some scenes, but there is always snark. the exception is Jadzia, who sees past the Ferengi customs. maybe Ziyal does the same?
Quark also goes through an arc where he gets a little less sexist and also less strict about Ferengi values. and Ziyal shows up in the later half of the show, so she could also benefit from his character growth. he is set in his ways with the women he already knows, but with Ziyal he starts fresh. she's also seen a lot at his bar, and he's loyal to good customers.
there can be several reasons, but I like to think it's because Ziyal is open and non-judgmental about him, his bar and his values the same way Jadzia is, and Quark is growing as a person.
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