Culture of the Oan Isles: Difference between revisions
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===Greetings===
When people greet each other, they typically press their foreheads and nose against one another. Some people go so far as to shake hands or embrace depending on their level of intimacy. This style of greeting applies to everyone including nobles and members of the Royal family. Usually, one will bow to member of the Royal family first before greeting them in this way. When greeting each other from a distance people typically wave. Young people tend to embrace including strangers much more often than their elders. People tend to use the term ''Kia ora regardless of who they are greeting''. ''Kia ora'' can be used as a substitute for Dear in Oan letters.
===Dining===
When dining out at a restaurant, people do not usually give tips. Dining out in the Oan Isles is a treat because the meals there are usually very delicious and difficult to prepare. Furthermore, waiters are often well-paid. Oans believe in excellent service and see providing a great dining experience as part of their job. Thus, there is no expectation for patrons to pay a tip. Nevertheless, it is not a taboo, it just may be awkward for a waiter to accept it. When eating out, Oan people like to pay for the table. So, usually the person who initiated the experience will explicitly inform everyone before the dining starts that they will be paying for the meal.
When eating a traditional Oan restaurant, people commonly eat by hand. Oan people rarely use utensils. To some people, using utensils when they are necessary is an affront to the cook. Many people believe that eating by hand allows you to indulge in the experience more viscerally. Oan people tend to sit on pillows or low stools or on the floor when dining out rather on chairs. Oan meals are often served in multiple courses and feature multiple dishes that are shared by everyone. It is customary to thank Thaer, Maui and the ancestors before eating. This is not said like a prayer but like a salutation and everyone cheers. When done eating, it is customary to thank the cook and compliment the meal. Thus, Oan chefs will often be found walking around the restaurant and asking people if they are enjoying their meal.
Through the advent of modern technology and alternative means of accessing food such as fast-food and deliveries some slight changes in the eating experience have occurred. Fast-food caters to working or busy people who do not have the luxury of preparing food at home or going to a restaurant. Deliveries are popular among young people because they allow them to enjoy the convenience of staying at home and enjoying food there.
===Visiting homes, shrines and schools===
In the Oan Isles, it is customary to take off one's shoes when entering someone's home, a school or a shrine. The shoes are usually left at a threshold between the main entrance to the building and a secondary entrance that leads inside the abode. Usually people will walk barefoot, with socks or wearing slippers. Taking off ones shoes shows respect to the people living there. Furthermore, it reduces the need for people to clean the floor. Large public spaces or places where walking with socks or barefoot is impractical will naturally be fine for people to where their shoes as they walk around. Some people walk around barefoot regardless of where they are. Many Oans have mixed feelings about this practice, but will not obstruct or comment on someone who chooses to do so.
==Clothing and fashion==
Oan people rarely if ever wear International Style clothing. They are almost always found wearing native Oan styles of clothing. Due to the heat of the country, Oan clothing is often very loose and very revealing. Males especially but not exclusively tend to have their buttocks completely exposed even in formal or professional spaces. It is often very jarring if not altogether uncomfortable for many foreigners when they enter the Oan Isles and find them so vividly and unabashedly exposed. Nevertheless, Oans take pride in their unique clothing style.
Traditional Oan clothing is made from plants, bird feathers and animal skins. However, modern variations of native clothing styles are made from materials such as polyester, silk or satin, cotton, cashmere etc. However, the fine quality of traditional Oan materials is a sign of wealth and thus people will wear traditionally made clothing at formal or fancy events. Traditional materials include dog (''kuri'') and seal skins, bird feathers, Oan flax (''harakeke'') etc. Traditional Oan clothing is hand made by a skilled craftsman, but modern variations are made by machines.
Cloaks are often used as a sign or status. The higher quality, the more dense the feathers, and the more intricate the flax weaving, the more prestigious the cloak tends to be. Cloaks are typically unisex. People tend to wear sandals to protect their feet. With the advent of cattle, people enjoy wearing leather or pleather. People tend to adorn themselves with jewelry such as necklaces, pendants and haircombs made from gems or animal bones. Cheap modern variations have arisen, but the traditional materials remain a sign of wealth.
Although traditional approaches to clothing remain prevalent, various modern native designers are challenging customs and norms by integrating international clothing concepts. This can range from the use of modern prints and colors to entirely new structures. Oan clothing tends to be highly adventurous because Oan clothing customs are less restrictive than their foreign counterparts.
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