Barton
If you live in the Baratox Conglomerate and in a few other places, you know that your individual contributions are valued. You believe that leaders should be chosen because of their merits and be advised by the best experts. And within the Conglomerate, this is assumed to be the case.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Bartani is the official language of the Baratox Conglomerate. In addition, most ex-pats from there are likely to speak it and teach it to their children.
Shared customary codes and values
Work ethics are the most important to any Barton. Most acts can be forgiven if they are clearly in the interest of the community's production. The individual striving to reach excellence is the most important of all, followed by the individual's dedication to the community. Family and even friends are appreciated but not as important as these other traits.
Anyone suffering from a condition preventing them from working will soon find themselves heading towards the bottom of society. They might get help in the form of any equipment they need to handle their disability, but they are expected to solve it themselves. The last thing many of them will want is the pity of others through handouts.
Common Etiquette rules
Being frank and to the point is considered good manners, even to the point where others might consider it rude.
Bartons pride themselves on their sense of logic. Claiming the most education and expertise is a way to claim leadership. They are very reluctant to acknowledge that it might sometimes be difficult to determine a single objective truth, instead of arguing that they just need a better expert. Thus you always show deference to someone who can claim to know more.
Common Dress code
Clothes amongst bartons come in two varieties: a lot of pockets and room for anything the person might want ever or slim clothes to show how the person's assets are in their mind. The first tend to be very utilitarian and common amongst the lower classes, while the second is prominent amongst the upper class.
Art & Architecture
One might expect the practical Bartons to only have very dull and functional architecture, but this is only partially true. Art and buildings are made to celebrate invention and achievements. There are often many statues and public spaces that show off the accomplishments, big or small, of those living in the area. Buildings are often decorated with beautiful machines. These might not do anything or they provide some small benefit such as water plants or presenting those living there.
All in all, a Barton city is built with heavy stones, decorated with turning brass cogs, tall chimneys from engines, rails in the air that transport various small items, and much more. Everything is moving or otherwise displaying the genius behind it. Boring is the last thing anyone would use to describe it.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Most bartons would claim that utility and brains are the only things that matter. In reality, beauty will always be a concept. Symmetry and proportions that lean towards a healthy, active, lifestyle are even more emphasised than in other places. Physical strength is seen as attractive, but not at the cost of intellectual prowess at all. Disabilities are a significant stigma, especially if they hurt productivity. An otherwise gorgeous person will have a hard time if they have to amputate a limb.
Gender Ideals
While there are two social genders that mostly correspond to female and male, they are rarely paid attention to. The biggest reason they exist at all is as an insufficient shorthand for who can get pregnant and who can impregnate them. Someone who is pregnant or who takes care of very young children is considered an extra valuable asset to society as they produce the most valuable resource of all - future accomplishments. Therefore they are well taken care of and much rewarded when they are able to return to the workforce.
Courtship Ideals
Like most communication, courtship is to the point and focuses on the practical. A proposal is made, laying out the advantages or a match, and the other person will either accept, reject, or give counter arguments to be met. A rejection isn't taken too hard as long as it wasn't rude.
Relationship Ideals
Marriage is for coordinating assets and practical matters as well as assign responsibility for children. Sexual relationships outside of this union aren't accepted but also not a big issue. Unless they lead to children or poor performance in one's other responsibilities - then they are very much taboo.
Romance is seen as a very nice boon to a relationship if it happens. In practice, people tend to suggest relationships to those they are falling in love with, but it is rarely acknowleged that this is the foundation.
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