like no one ever was((questions open!))

While it isn’t common or even advisable, if your soon-to-be trainer really wants a ghost-type starter, there are a few safe options that should satisfy them. 

Ralts are extremely calm and due to their relatively low evolution level and stable temperment, make excellent starter pokemon. Keep in mind, however, that they are not nearly as openly affectionate as other starter pokemon, and require a certain degree of personal space for the first few months of their training. Kirlia and Gardevior usually end up being more touchy if they feel that their trainer is the type to appreciate things like that, but if you want a pokemon to cuddle with, you’re better off choosing something furrier. A good rule of thumb is that the more animalistic, the more cuddly. 

Popular musicians usually have their personal pokemon as icons for their brand. Unlike pokemon battlers, if they do select their pokemon, they will normally go for aesthetics rather then battle powess. Pokemon like Chatot will even sometimes appear in the music itself because of it’s powess in mimicking instruments, but Altaria is a more popular choice. In addition to having more mass appeal, Altaria’s singing voice could be considered and intrusment of it’s own. Some bands in Hoenn have Altaria as prominent members, although they are more likely to appear in chamber orchestras. 

Bring Your Pokemon To School Day is a cherished day for every student who owns pokemon and the pokemon itself. There are, of course, regulations-- in my schools in Alola, pokemon with shorter tempers, like Crabrawler and Tauros, or pokemon who could harm other students accidently, like Ferrothorn or Druddigon, pokemon who are just plain too big, like Onix or Wailord, and pokemon that the trainer has only owned for 4 weeks are not allowed to participate. Atudents are also only allowed 2 pokemon outside of the pokeball at once to limit overcrowding. 

In Alola, almost any high-skill trainer can go to the Ruins corresponding to their gaudian deity and just talk. Tapu Lele in paticular is famous for being an understanding ear to those who need it, and Tapu Bulu is said to give gifts of small bouquets when it is in a good mood. Tapu Fini’s calming presence is helpful to those who just need to calm down, and Tapu Koko is more vocal and will occaisionally give squaks and nods when you are speaking. 

The Volcarona line should only ever be caught by mid-to-high-level trainers. Larvesta, in addition to their high evolution level, are highly volatile and will burn you even after capture if you are not careful. If you do choose to give an adolescent a Larvesta, you must first sit them down and talk about being patient with their evolution and their rather high power curve.

Pokemon are actually very common in classrooms! Most popular choices are pokemon that can cause little harm accidently, such as softer normal types (like spinda or smeargle), but pokemon with telekinetic powers (gengar, most psychic types) are popular choices too for general utility. Pokemon that are more sensitive to feelings (lucario, ninetales, gardevior) are great pokemon in any social work, and are paticularly helpful around stressful exam times.