Jun 19, 2020 7:02 pm
This is a very brief summary of some of the common cultural practices in the Third Horizon. Within Middle Eastern cultures, there is a good amount of variation, of course (and I dislike lumping together various cultures just because they are in the same region). But for simplicity, I have posted some customs and etiquette that are relatively universal throughout Coriolis and the Horizon. These customs are more the hallmark of the Firstcome, but they are also widely practiced among Zenithians. These customs are part of the setting's flavor and are supposed to contribute to the "Arabian Nights" feel of the game.
On Trading
It's customary to offer a small gift to the counterpart, during a trade agreement. A personal, handmade gift is more valued than a common (or more expensive) item, as it represents a personal effort in the agreement.
After the trade routes opened again - thanks to the Zenithians - this habit lost a lot of ground. It became increasingly difficult for successful merchants to provide gifts for every trade agreement. The habit was replaced by a tea ceremony at the signing of the agreement. However, small merchants and more traditional cultures still value this practice, and it continues to see use in the Third Horizon.
Bargaining is a very common activity, and a customer is expected to haggle the price of every item before purchasing it. Accepting an offer at the first price can cause a bit of disbelief or disappointment by Firstcome shopkeepers. Zenithian merchants tend to be slightly more pragmatic and dead set on price, but not by much.
Shopkeepers will often start the bargaining by refusing to quote the price of an item and claiming that it's worthless (even when the item obviously isn't). After the customer insists on buying it three times, then the shopkeeper will give a price and the real negotiating can begin.
On Hospitality
Hospitality is tremendously important, especially among the Firstcome. So much so, there are even stories of sworn enemies taking the time to sit and have a polite meal with each other before a duel to the death.
Both Firstcome and Zenithians, for the most part, pride themselves on friendliness toward strangers. Unless the stranger has given you reason to be displeased, interactions are expected to be civil. Civility and generosity should be shown even to enemies. This practice arose from the early days of colonizing the Third Horizon; Outer space and frontier planets are harsh environments to survive. One could go months or longer without seeing other people. Because other people were often one's sole source of news, information and supplies, human contact became treasured and respected.
A guest is expected to bring a small gift to the host, to honor the invite received. Alternately, a guest may offer to help with a service, such as doing chores.
Every invitation is a banquet in the Third Horizon. A host will do his best to fill his table with everything that could appeal to guests. This works basically everywhere, regardless of social status. Even for the poorer classes, the rite of hospitality is sacred.
Guests should always take the means of the host into consideration and are expected to spare their hosts any inconveniences, when possible.
It's considered offensive to refuse to eat during an invitation.
The nomad tribes of the Nomad Federation take hospitality a step further. Once someone's hospitality has been accepted, the host is obligated to keep that person safe for as long as the guest remains under his roof (whether it be a house or spaceship). Nomads will protect their guests as fiercely as they protect family; for them, it is a matter of personal honor.
In social and business situations, it is considered respectful for a younger person to stand when an elder enters the room. Older guests are always served first.
Weapons are always kept sheathed or holstered. To draw a weapon under a host's roof is a major breach of hospitality.
Hospitality usually lasts one to three days. Beyond the third day, a guest will likely be regarded as taking advantage of his host.
On Drinking
It's generally considered offensive to refuse a drink offer.
Alcohol is typically consumed informally and in small groups. Coffee is a more common beverage, and can be imbibed at every hour and at every occasion. Offering and accepting coffee is seen as a mutually friendly act.
However, because coffee tends to curb the appetite, it should not be offered too closely to meal time. Otherwise, it might be misconstrued as the guest not being welcomed to stay for the meal.
Exception of the above rule exists: it's habit to consume Arak (also known as "Lion's Milk") at the end of public dinners or to sign important agreements or discussions.
On Family
Family is a very important pillar in the life of a Third Horizon citizen. The family is sacred, and blood ties are stronger than steel.
Families can be quite large and extensive, and social ties are important. Families consist of more than blood relations; often they can include a number of foster siblings, godparents, and even close friends or neighbors. Nomad tribal families are even larger and more elaborate. The Zeni and Kuan languages alone have more than sixteen words denoting "first cousin," with each word designed to make perfectly clear the first cousin referred to and the degree of kinship.
It is customary for young people to informally refer to older family members as "aunt" or "uncle," regardless of the actual relationship. This can make it confusing when trying to suss out how people are related to one another.
Taarof
The Taarof is a complex social code used in formal situations or between aristocracy. It's a symbol of respect and social status, and is greatly valued in several settings. Although taarof originates with the Firstcome, it is commonly observed by the nobles of the Zenithian Hegemony.
Taarof is very elaborate and involves a complex system of ritual politeness. Most people with a privileged upbringing are likely to be familiar with it (as are those with the Culture skill). Taarof is strictly practiced in formal situations, business negotiations, and dealings with strangers, but less likely with those who have a close, personal relationship. A few examples of it are listed below:
It's habit to offer services or pledge something as a show of good faith, as it's expected that the counterpart will refuse the offer.
When a gift is offered, one should refuse the gift several times before accepting it.
When invited to have a meal under someone's roof, one is expected to eat seconds or thirds. The more one eats, the more one honors his host (wealthy hosts, who are usually the ones who practice taarof, can afford to indulge their guests). Good manners, however, dictate that the guest should first decline and pretend to be full before accepting more food.
When entering a room, the person with higher social status is expected to enter first. However, the person of higher status may allow a person of lower social rank to enter ahead of him; this is seen as a show of grace and magnanimity.
On Trading
It's customary to offer a small gift to the counterpart, during a trade agreement. A personal, handmade gift is more valued than a common (or more expensive) item, as it represents a personal effort in the agreement.
After the trade routes opened again - thanks to the Zenithians - this habit lost a lot of ground. It became increasingly difficult for successful merchants to provide gifts for every trade agreement. The habit was replaced by a tea ceremony at the signing of the agreement. However, small merchants and more traditional cultures still value this practice, and it continues to see use in the Third Horizon.
Bargaining is a very common activity, and a customer is expected to haggle the price of every item before purchasing it. Accepting an offer at the first price can cause a bit of disbelief or disappointment by Firstcome shopkeepers. Zenithian merchants tend to be slightly more pragmatic and dead set on price, but not by much.
Shopkeepers will often start the bargaining by refusing to quote the price of an item and claiming that it's worthless (even when the item obviously isn't). After the customer insists on buying it three times, then the shopkeeper will give a price and the real negotiating can begin.
On Hospitality
Hospitality is tremendously important, especially among the Firstcome. So much so, there are even stories of sworn enemies taking the time to sit and have a polite meal with each other before a duel to the death.
Both Firstcome and Zenithians, for the most part, pride themselves on friendliness toward strangers. Unless the stranger has given you reason to be displeased, interactions are expected to be civil. Civility and generosity should be shown even to enemies. This practice arose from the early days of colonizing the Third Horizon; Outer space and frontier planets are harsh environments to survive. One could go months or longer without seeing other people. Because other people were often one's sole source of news, information and supplies, human contact became treasured and respected.
A guest is expected to bring a small gift to the host, to honor the invite received. Alternately, a guest may offer to help with a service, such as doing chores.
Every invitation is a banquet in the Third Horizon. A host will do his best to fill his table with everything that could appeal to guests. This works basically everywhere, regardless of social status. Even for the poorer classes, the rite of hospitality is sacred.
Guests should always take the means of the host into consideration and are expected to spare their hosts any inconveniences, when possible.
It's considered offensive to refuse to eat during an invitation.
The nomad tribes of the Nomad Federation take hospitality a step further. Once someone's hospitality has been accepted, the host is obligated to keep that person safe for as long as the guest remains under his roof (whether it be a house or spaceship). Nomads will protect their guests as fiercely as they protect family; for them, it is a matter of personal honor.
In social and business situations, it is considered respectful for a younger person to stand when an elder enters the room. Older guests are always served first.
Weapons are always kept sheathed or holstered. To draw a weapon under a host's roof is a major breach of hospitality.
Hospitality usually lasts one to three days. Beyond the third day, a guest will likely be regarded as taking advantage of his host.
On Drinking
It's generally considered offensive to refuse a drink offer.
Alcohol is typically consumed informally and in small groups. Coffee is a more common beverage, and can be imbibed at every hour and at every occasion. Offering and accepting coffee is seen as a mutually friendly act.
However, because coffee tends to curb the appetite, it should not be offered too closely to meal time. Otherwise, it might be misconstrued as the guest not being welcomed to stay for the meal.
Exception of the above rule exists: it's habit to consume Arak (also known as "Lion's Milk") at the end of public dinners or to sign important agreements or discussions.
On Family
Family is a very important pillar in the life of a Third Horizon citizen. The family is sacred, and blood ties are stronger than steel.
Families can be quite large and extensive, and social ties are important. Families consist of more than blood relations; often they can include a number of foster siblings, godparents, and even close friends or neighbors. Nomad tribal families are even larger and more elaborate. The Zeni and Kuan languages alone have more than sixteen words denoting "first cousin," with each word designed to make perfectly clear the first cousin referred to and the degree of kinship.
It is customary for young people to informally refer to older family members as "aunt" or "uncle," regardless of the actual relationship. This can make it confusing when trying to suss out how people are related to one another.
Taarof
The Taarof is a complex social code used in formal situations or between aristocracy. It's a symbol of respect and social status, and is greatly valued in several settings. Although taarof originates with the Firstcome, it is commonly observed by the nobles of the Zenithian Hegemony.
Taarof is very elaborate and involves a complex system of ritual politeness. Most people with a privileged upbringing are likely to be familiar with it (as are those with the Culture skill). Taarof is strictly practiced in formal situations, business negotiations, and dealings with strangers, but less likely with those who have a close, personal relationship. A few examples of it are listed below:
It's habit to offer services or pledge something as a show of good faith, as it's expected that the counterpart will refuse the offer.
When a gift is offered, one should refuse the gift several times before accepting it.
When invited to have a meal under someone's roof, one is expected to eat seconds or thirds. The more one eats, the more one honors his host (wealthy hosts, who are usually the ones who practice taarof, can afford to indulge their guests). Good manners, however, dictate that the guest should first decline and pretend to be full before accepting more food.
When entering a room, the person with higher social status is expected to enter first. However, the person of higher status may allow a person of lower social rank to enter ahead of him; this is seen as a show of grace and magnanimity.