Tamarillos culture Q&A’s

1/ Family and Friendships

1.1/ What is a normal family unit?

A family unit would usually consist of two adults living together with a handful of children. Very often, the parents of one or even, on some occasions, both adults would also be present in the family home. It is also not beyond the realms of possibility that a second and maybe even third ‘sibling’ pair of adults may live on the same stead. However, it is more common for any adult couples to have their own farm houses next to each other rather than sharing a single property.

1.2/ Do people marry for love or other reasons? What reasons?

Marriages are most often undertaken for love, with parents encouraging their offspring to choose freely whom they will love and ultimately settle down with.

1.3/ Are the genders treated differently?

Not in terms of their worth at all. It is common to see any adult that can ride and is not currently looking after young ones working side by side on the ranches.

1.4/ Who raises the children?

While it is true that often a woman will look after the children, this is by no means a set role. There have been many cases of ranchers of all sexes taking on this responsibility over the years. One thing of note here is that if a family suffers a tragedy, the children will always be taken in by extended members of the family, even if they do not live locally.

2/ Social Rules

2.1/ What is a gesture of respect (bowing, saluting)?

A touch of the cap is the usual gesture to acknowledge another person, and this can range from a small touch of the brim to a full removal of the hat with a sweeping bow, depending on the individual and who they are addressing. Shooting into the air is often seen as a way of expressing joy and enthusiasm.

2.2/ What is considered a rude gesture?

Many things are considered bad manners, and people will draw varying levels of offence depending on the situation. A few things that are considered rude include: Eating before everyone has been served and seated. Touching another person's hat, especially if they are wearing it. Remarking on another's family – this is often used specifically to start a fight.

2.3/ How do they curse? Gods? Body parts?

Mention of the profane is common in cursing, as are a vast array of swear words.

2.4/ What topics of conversation are controversial?

Goldrock and the way their people behave, debts, and any talk of future catastrophe.

2.5/ Which topics of conversation are safe?

People of Tamarillo speak openly about their feelings, especially to their family units. Illnesses and old age are nothing to be ashamed of and will be discussed alongside the current weather.

2.6/ What constitutes a social faux pas?

Pulling a gun on someone – and not using it – is viewed as cowardice. This is not to say that people are always being shot, as they are not, but if you escalate to the point of pulling a weapon on someone, things are out of hand, and you had better be willing to use it.

2.7/ Do people live in happiness or fear?

People have normal worries but are generally happy in their lives. From happy drunks on the streets to happy mayors, society is generally content.

2.8/ Does the culture value strength or compassion more highly?

Both are valued in equal balance. It takes real strength sometimes to show compassion, and the most compassionate acts require real inner strength.

2.9/ Does the culture value wealth or generosity more highly?

While some will always value wealth, generosity is far more highly regarded within the culture.

3/ Food

3.1/ What does a feast look like?

A table full of victuals, most often cooked over open fires—barbecue, steaks, corn, roasted peppers—all served with pitta-like breads. Strong sauces, roasted potatoes, and camp beans are always present, alongside fresh lemonades or water. Sparkling cordials or anything considered ‘refreshing’ will be served alongside strong liquors and basic beers. Wine is not commonly taken with meals.

3.2/ What does a basic pauper’s meal look like?

Stews, potatoes, flatbreads, and always (for those that eat it) meat of some sort.

3.3/ Do people mostly eat meat, fish or vegetables?

Everybody that eats meat will do so at least once or twice a day, and often meals will consist solely of meat. Beans and pulses are incredibly popular with everyone.

3.4/ Do people eat plain or heavily flavoured food?

Foods are cooked using basic seasonings such as salt and pepper, but sauces are then added, creating a variety of flavours, including barbecue, ketchup, chilli, fruit-based sauces, relish, and mustard.

3.5/ Do people eat together or separately?

People always eat as a family unit if they can. If out on cattle drives they will eat with others when it is time to rest up.

3.6/ Do people eat in small or large groups?

During festivities, an entire area may come together, but otherwise, groups will eat as individual households.

3.7/ What utensils do people use to eat?

Sharp knives, spoons, two-tine forks, and their hands.

3.8/ Are there many restaurants? Who goes to them?

Restaurants are not really a thing in Tamarillo, as most people live miles apart on different ranches. In towns, food can be purchased from bars, drinking and gambling establishments, or street vendors.

3.9/ Are there street food sellers?

There are street vendors, though they are not as common as in other places. They often sell one simple dish—roasted nuts, meat skewers, or an incredible fried potato dish.

3.10/ What do people drink?

People drink water, sharp juices, sparkling, refreshing clear drinks, and all sorts of coffee. They also drink very strong spirits, often undiluted, as well as plain beers. Wine and cider are uncommon.

3.11/ Is the water generally clean enough to drink?

Yes, however boiling water is still common practice.

3.12/ Are some foods poisonous to certain people?

Not really. Picking the wrong type of cactus can make people very ill.

3.13/ What are the tables like? Shape? High or low?

Tables are usually thick wooden rectangles, large enough to seat an entire family unit. In bars, they tend to be small and round or small square card tables.

4/ Art

4.1/ What forms of art are there?

Traditionally, ‘art’ is not a widely recognised concept in Tamarillo, as people do not often paint or sculpt. However, an outsider would see artistry in many ‘ordinary’ household items. There may be no paintings on the wall, yet a banister might be intricately carved by a family member, or blankets might be embroidered to an exquisite standard. These functional yet beautiful objects are so common that people do not consider them art. The true artistic expression of Tamarillo lies in performance. Towns often have lively theatres showcasing musicians, dancers, comedy acts, poets, and short plays. Lately, a new art form has arrived in some towns, leaving people on the edge of their seats with excitement—photography. While still in its infancy, the arrival of the camera has fascinated the people of Tamarillo.

4.2/ Do people value art?

As already mentioned, the people do not consider most of what they own as ‘art’ due to its functionality.

4.3/ Can everyone afford art, or only the wealthy?

Everyone owns beautifully crafted functional pieces, but only the wealthy can afford framed photographs of their homes, pets, or family.

4.4/ What subjects does art concern itself with?

All aspects of life are open for the theatre to explore, while the people of Tamarillo create functional yet beautiful things in their daily lives.

5/ Architecture

5.1/ What are the cities like, if any?

Cities are similar to towns, and in fact, any area of habitation outside of the many ranches follows a similar layout. They are originally built along one main street, often with a theatre or church positioned at its centre. Each building is distinct, with clear plots marking which business owns which section of land. In the larger cities, a second or even third parallel road may develop over time. Houses are then scattered around the townships, often as far from the town as possible. This means that on a map, the cities and towns appear vast, yet their actual populations remain relatively low.

5.2/ What are the houses like?

All houses are wooden structures, typically raised a couple of feet from the ground.

5.3/ Is architecture indulgent or functional?

Architecture is primarily functional, but, much like other aspects of life in Tamarillo, buildings may be highly carved or decorated by the different generations that have lived there.

6/ Clothing & Fashion

6.1/ What do people wear?

In Tamarillo, attire is practical and durable, reflecting the demands of ranch life and town living. Common garments include plain or subtly checked shirts—either collared, collarless, or with a bib front—tucked into sturdy trousers made from heavy natural fabrics or denim. These trousers are secured by strong leather belts capable of supporting gun holsters, or by over-the-shoulder braces.

Wide-brimmed hats, such as Stetsons, slouch hats, derbies, and rancher hats, are essential accessories. Over shirts, individuals often wear waistcoats with small collars or lapels, ranging from decorative patterns to plain designs. For outerwear, heavy duster coats are prevalent, though some opt for ponchos or Western-style suit jackets. A neckerchief or bolo tie typically accompanies collared shirts.

Attire may also include full Victorian-style dresses or separate skirts paired with corsets and jackets, offering greater flexibility for physical tasks. The choice of garments is influenced by personal preference and the nature of activities, ensuring both functionality and comfort.

6.2/ What is in fashion this year?

Checked-pattern waistcoats and coloured leathers are starting to gain popularity, rather than just the traditional blacks and browns.

6.3/ What was in fashion last year?

Leather duster coats.

7/ Entertainment, Celebrations and Festivals

7.1/ Is there theatre? Is it common or reserved for the wealthy?

Theatre is common, and both the wealthy and the poor attend the same performances. The rich usually opt for the further-back seating, while more common folk sit at the front. The cheapest tickets are for seats at the extreme left and right of the venue.

7.2/ What’s the most popular form of entertainment?

Music is at the heart of entertainment, with pianos, banjos, fiddles, and guitars frequently played in bars—either by those simply looking for a good time or by performers hoping to earn a few coins.

7.3/ What are the major festivals?

For information on religion in Tamarillo please see here: Religion in Tamarillo

7.4/ Describe a wedding.

A wedding is an event where both families don their finest clothing and gather to celebrate not only the couple but also the union of their families. A ceremony is performed by a priest, after which everyone returns to the family residence where the couple will initially be living. There, an almighty celebration begins—complete with food, drink, and dancing. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, a wooden roof is often raised to provide shelter for the festivities. This structure is then converted into a full house after the wedding, serving as the couple’s new home.

7.5/ Describe a funeral.

A funeral is a somber procession, beginning either from the church or, if the deceased lived on a remote ranch, from their home. The family takes the time to speak of their love for the departed, followed by a quiet, formal meal.

7.6/ What are special celebratory foods?

Baked goods. Beyond flatbreads and a few exceptions, baking is not particularly common in Tamarillo—except on celebration days.

7.7 What sort of clothes do people wear on special occasions?

The same as their everyday clothes, but they will make an effort to clean up.