Section IX: Culture & Society
"If our society is to be defined by one word, let it be the word of our ancestors "Ego"; Me, Myself and I, for the ego as the extension of the mind is the font of all creation, the conception of self is the most important distinction of intelligence, the necessary foundation for civilization, for art, for all pursuits of the mind and progress. Collectivists may have their soulless ant-farms of brutality and sacrifice. I will take a society built around "man", not "men"."
~Vanessa Honorius Van der Lyons, on Mercatorum Society
To many an uninformed viewer* the Merchant Republics may very well appear as if it sprang fully from the height of the American Art Moderne Movement in the Early to Middle 20th Century, indeed many important cultural elements of the Republics do have similarity to the "Art-Deco" period, but our culture could never be so wholly contained. What follows us here is an analysis of the unique culture of the Merchant Republics.
In a brief description, the culture of the Merchant Republics is one which places enormous importance on individual though, choice, expression, initiative and achievement, celebrating the results of their cooperation towards mutual happiness. However it is so much more than that, the Mercatorum possess an unshakable code of honour and self-responsibility which permeates our culture, a code not imposed as a duty but taken up as a conscientious decision to create a better world.
A world for the individual by the individual. A society whose pillars were built neither on the bloodied bones of the whip-borne many; nor upon the binds and broken-backs of the giant few. Where these great would not be constrained to bloody service in the chains and whips of the jealous small so they might in freedom stand upright and proudly lift the burdensome heavens from the backs of all men. A society based upon the values of reciprocation and respect, not theft and contempt. Where charity is not a duty enforced by the barrel of a gun but an act of brotherly love and compassion, where right is earned not taken, where the service of a man's interest is best made in the interest of others, in creating not destroying.
Yet it is still more than that for we are a society which embraces fruitful industry before wanton consumerism, values the search for epicurean joy over hedonistic pleasure and seeks companionship of the mind and the soul before the flesh. A society where what a man's owns is not his measure but the reflection of his potential and ability to create something greater out of his world. Here is where we find those who believe in modesty not in hatred of their bodies but love of their minds, who know the costs of excess are weighed on a tipping scale, for which every measure of undeserved pleasure is met by it's equal of share of pain. That honour is more than just a phrase to be cast aside at the first sign of adversity but a goal to be pursued to the bitter end. That no might can make right until it is used in the defence of the innocent and the derivation of any authority comes not from force of arms but of the mutual agreement and cooperation of men.
The Mercatorum are a society built principally on the notion that it is trade not the lash creates our wealth, cooperation not violence that rules us, love not duty that binds us, and excellence not pleasure that we find contentment in.
*Of course, for the unwashed barbarian, we doubt that they would even have the mind to comprehend such comparisons and our culture would just appear to them as indistinguishable from heavenly beings surrounded by a world of technology and beauty, indeed many of the minor alien cultures we have encountered in our expansion have treated us thusly. An effect which the Historical Society terms "The Cult of Humanity", which we will elaborate on laterSocial Customs & Behavior
"There are three things you should remember when dealing with Mercatorum, your manners, your honour and your wallet."
~Frank Haldabard, American Businessman c. 1956
An important introduction into Mercatorum society is the nature of social custom in the Republics, the often wide differences between Mercatorum values and those of other nations require an explanation of the potential subtleties and differences which must be addressed before even going into the already subtle nature of our custom in specific.
Mercatorum relationships typically follow a basic hierarchy of acquaintance, friend/clansmen, companion/kin, which prescribes a slightly different behaviour at each level, starting from a warm but politely distant treatment of acquaintances, becoming more intimate and jovial as it progresses, to one's friends and clansmen (distant family) to the closest circle of one's companions and kin (near family). While it is very easy befriend a Mercatoran, and most having several hundred clan members. Mercatorans are very discerning about their companions, often only their spouse, immediate family and a small number of select friends are included in this relationship circle.
Greetings:- Mercatorans consider handshakes (or similar gestures of greeting) to be important not just in first meetings but in all subsequent meetings, this will continue until they are consider each other friends in which case a short embrace is the rule, from there very close friends and family share a kiss on the cheek as standard. Of course on the street a simple tip of the hat is all that is needed for friends if you are busy; "kin" however merit a stop.
-Importantly a man should never kiss a married woman on the cheek without her husband present and vice-versa no matter how close they are, they should instead embrace shortly. Boys should never kiss their girlfriends anywhere but on the cheek in the presence of her male family members.
- On the topic of greetings, it is rude to offer your fist to a Mercatoran, as it is a sign of aggressiveness (foreigners of course are already considered barbarians so we don't take too much offence to their ignorance). Handshakes further are most commonly performed with the grabbing of forearms rather than hands and accompanied by a slight bow.
- Again in the same vein raising your hand in a "high-five" looks vaguely like the Celestial Legionary Salute and thus if you proceed to slap the hand of former legionary who salutes you in return... well it won't be pleasant.
Gift-Giving, Tipping and Charity-It is customary to offer to pay or trade for any significant gift you receive, to which the customary answer is "your gratitude/respect/love (in order of acquaintance/clan/kin) is trade enough" or some variant upon it. The receiver should always accept the gift after, to do otherwise is a great disrespect. This ritual is religiously followed, even in marriage proposals.
-Tipping is encouraged, practically everywhere, but especially in Restaurants and Hotels. There is no standard amount, generally you are encouraged to give at least 5% of your bill and up to 20% depending on their service.
-When asked over to a Mercatoran's house it is customary to bring a small appropriate gift, such as fruit baskets, chocolates, cigars or wine are all acceptable but anything larger would be obtuse. The above gift-giving rule applies.
-Do not give money to pan-handlers; especially in tourist areas, there are very few legitimate panhandlers in the Republics, most of them are drug-addled, the rest are con artists, usually work in cahoots with pickpockets and muggers. Mercatorum poor are rarely so ignoble as to beg for charity; especially in the open. If you want to help the poor there are many respected charities in the Republics where your money will go to the right place. You are welcome to support street performers however, as it is considered a well-respected profession.
Editor's Note: If you see a person that seems to be legitimately hungry, surprising though it may be we do welcome you to offer food. Just keep your wits about you in regard to your belongings.Art & Architecture
Look around you at the staggering feats accomplished in the world that surround us, it is a rapturous beauty that envelops us even as it radiantly flows from the font of our own minds. We live now in an age of Eternal Renaissance; where the artist's only limitation is that of his own imagination.
~ Helena Honorius Vandregetti, Artist, Patroness and Founder of the Mercatorum Academy of Art.
Art is no simple hobby in the Republics, it is imbued within the very foundation of our society and culture. To the Mercatorum the act of creating art is one of the clearest expressions of the mind and imagination, upon which we place immense value.
The culture of the Merchant Republics cherishes artists greatly, such that artistry is considered among the noblest of careers for both men and women, art is ubiquitous to the Republics, it is in the parks, it is in the plazas, it is in our buildings, our homes and in the many hundreds of galleries. The art gallery, like the opera house is a staple of any established city worth it's name.
Give me towering cities; filled with those tall temples of commerce and luxury, build them up until they scrape the heavens themselves and the clouds are my balcony. And here among the pulsating masses, I will find a greater serenity then in the calmest meadow.
~ Civil Architect Fredrick Octavius Armati on Mercatorum Cities
There is an immediately recognizable and distinct style in Mercatorum Architecture, influenced by the very strong artistic values of society is notable for the combination of symmetry and streamlined form with highly detailed artistic flairs like friezes, statues and murals. Often with opulent white, gold, brown and ochre colour schemes, that make cities appear as though they sparkle from a distance.
The style is very much influenced by art-deco and greco-roman influences but has developed beyond it, indeed Mercatorum cities are built from the ground up in a way that compliments artistic style, parks and businesses.
The top level of most Mercatorum cities is almost always entirely pedestrian, then there are usually two levels of subterranean highway: one for residential use and one for commercial and industrial traffic. The roadways only merge and return to the surface at the very edges of the city. The pedestrian streets are lined with trees down the centre the sides are filled with cafes, restaurants and stores. There are a lot of street performers, kiosks, street vendors and artists, although not usually too many in a single area due to competition.
Most cities are built around either their space-elevator or the train terminal which leads to one. The obvious practical reasons for that are evident, so I won't elaborate on that. They are almost exclusively built near sources of water to compensate for the massive demands. The presence of water is a make or break for any potential colony unless it is ridiculously resource rich. After that the city tends to flow out modularly. With sections built up in piecemeal. Not many cities grow like they do here on Earth, although it's still quite natural, the skip between low-density and high-density tends to occur instantaneously. The Mercatorum are a very cosmopolitan and urbane sort of culture. We prefer city living.
Residential buildings are usually built as super-complexes: massive structures with built-in schools, shops, gyms and recreation centres for children. These are often built around a large central atrium that serves not only as a lobby, meeting place and secure park for the residents, but also as heat dissipation and a rain-water collector to help. Businesses tend to be built along the bottom-floors facing outside. Activity centres, gyms, schools and dining halls are placed at the next level and residences begin at the third floor.
Commercial areas usually follow a pattern of interconnected massive commercial buildings usually structured around a much larger central square or outdoor plaza, with offices usually built on top of elaborate malls.
There are a lot of green spaces too, although often they are commercially-owned and interspersed with money-making pavillions and plazas. Some are also built in the middle of residential areas by cooperation between the residents to create what is essential a super-atrium shared between all of them. It is also particularly common for roof-tops to be decorated and greened with flowerbeds and gardens. The ubiquity of these manicured gardens and parks has led residential districts to often take the moniker of the city's "green quarters" as opposed to the commercial's "gold quarter".
All recognized republics are required to build a forum where the common citizenry can voice their opinions and argue policy among themselves and with the leadership of the republic. For many Republics, almost all political power is drawn from the forum, in what is essentially a direct democracy. In other cases the former is instead more of a sounding board for policy coming down from higher officials. Though there is no single necessary design most follow a rather simple ampitheatre design and usually occupy the ground floors of whatever government offices the Republic owns.
Religion & Social Mores
"It truly pains my heart to hear the shouts from fervent and pious believers for the establishment of moral laws, for the Earthly punishment of sins, for conversion by force, for the punishment, exclusion and maltreatment of non-believers, Jews, Muslims and Heretics alike.
This idea of theocracy, is wholly abominable; yes, mankind should live piously and reverent to laws of God, but should we not do so for the Love of God? Rather than in fear of our Earthly rulers. If we are to live in a society where every man is made to follow the law of God by force, how should we know the pious from the fearful?"
~Arch-Bishop Antoine I, the Peaceful, addressing the Papal College circa 1541 (mere months before the Venetian Orthodox Schism)
Religion is a very important part of Mercatorum Culture, the majority of Mercatorum follow a religion and most attend religious services regularly, despite this the approach to religion in the Republics is very secular and individualistic, something which is very much supported by the Council of Faiths, the nominal representative and forum of religious thought and interfaith discussion in the Republics.
The dominant and culturally relevant religious belief in the Republics, is that of the Mercatorum Orthodox Church, an Orthodox Christian Church which separated from the Catholic Church in protest for their treatment of Martin Luther and similar reformers among many other grievances . It's formal separation being declared in Venice's St. Mark's Bassilica by it's appointed Arch-Bishop Antoine I, from that point the Basilica became the headquarters of the Faith.
Principally, the Orthodox Mercatorum Church has been a strong supporter of religious tolerance and individual salvation, eschewing much of traditional Catholic dogma, including many much more controversial issues of the traditional church. Most remarkably there is no requirement for clerical celibacy and that woman may join the priesthood. However in most rites and rituals as well as the general interpretation of scripture the Mercatorum Church it is much closer to the Orthodox faith.
Cuisine & Dining
"There is little doubt that greatest among all the motivators of mankind is his stomach, that which brought men to till the soils and hunt the beasts of earth and that which made men brave danger and conflict over pepper and spices is that what drove him to every success, but it's more than survival, it's luxury.
~ Food Critic and Editor for Mercatorum Food Weekly Samuel Cyrus MacKennaheh
Cuisine in the Republics
Dining- Meals are usually provided as smorgasbord, however you are welcome to take as much as you want right away, expect that people will attempt to trade their food for yours. Generally most meals are three course.
- A toast is to be performed before eating by the person paying for the meal, in casual settings it is a simple "Salute" "Good Friends, Good Food and Good Company" or "Bon Appetite" however more formal meals might have a longer winded speech. This will be followed typically by a quick Christian prayer, it is polite to simply bow your head, whatever your religion, if you are of a different religion, you may be invited to say your own prayer*.
*Editor's Note: There are some humorous anecdotes of atheists visiting from prominently irreligious nations being asked to perform their own prayers and in order to appease their hosts, attempt to butcher their way through a half-concocted prayer to the religious figures of Atheism. These are rather unlikely stories however as atheism is well-known as a philosophy in the Republics even if it is not very commonly followed. Music & Dance
"There's one difference between music and sound and that difference is swing. without the swing, the head-bopping, the toe-tapping, it's all just sound"
~Richard "D" Scipio Bastelli, Famous Mercatoran Composer and Trumpet Player
When you talk about music in the Merchant Republics, you're talking about Swing and Jazz;
Big Band,
Vocal and
Traditional have always topped the music charts of the Merchant Republics, to the point of near domination, Big Band Swing is typical at any Mercatorian Nightclub. Though it has been centuries since the first masters of the music started singing Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller and John Coltrane are all household names in the Republics, as well as the the many Mercatorian Masters of Jazz that came after them: Nicolas Vineo Casvanni, Micheal Armand Holt, and Lillian Van Wassel among them. Jazz and the Mid-19th Century Culture are inextricably linked to the Mercatorum Persona. Swing is most certainly the most popular form of dance in the Republics as well, and is widely popular between classes; swing and it's varients are seen from the lowly community centre to the popular nightclubs and high class music halls.
Jazz however does not hold sole monopoly in Republic and many other forms of music are popular. Aurora Music, as it is called,
a sort of new age techno, is popular chamber music among some of the equestrian sophisticate. True to it's symphonic origin, Aurora simply mixes newer instruments and digital tailoring, the effect of this music is still quite soothing perhaps more so, if less dedicated in spirit. Its
Alternate forms are also popular in the more hedonistic and liberal fringe colonies where it is danced to in what Mercatorum musical historians compare to Rave Music of the 21st Century. While this music is looked down upon it still has a fair level of popularity.
The Mercatorum hold the highest respect for the fine arts and this applies to music with no exception
Opera and
Orchestral Music is extremely popular not just among the Rich and Influential but across all classes. A Grand Opera Hall is a must have in any self-respecting city and the Republics are well-known in the Galactic community for their superior musicians.
Cinema & Mass Media
"If I've learned anything over my career, it's that the old adage was wrong. It's life that imitates art."
~Director & Producer for Centauri Cinema Antonius Clarus Van Grotten
The presence of Media in the Mercatorum society has reached such a point in which it might rightly be considered supersaturated, from the moment we wake to the second we sleep and every moment in between we are but a second away from the massing pulse of information that exists in the data networks and extralinks which connect the Republics across the Stars. For nearly every Mercatoran young and old owns a personal wrist mounted virtual intelligence matrix (usually called Personal Arm-Band Linknodes or PALs for short), capable of updates in real time on such things as social networking, calls, weather, traffic and other important events.
Ironically in becoming so inundated by the virtual, Mercatorum have found that the constant virtual communication left many hollow and unfulfilled, inspiring many to turn away from excessive use of any technological entertainment. Today's Mercatoran's watch less television and read more books than 21st Century humans, despite boasting the capability to blast it straight into one's brain.