Reinheit (Ostland)

Reinheit - literally translated as purity - is a broad cultural concept in Ostland. The concept of reinheit permeates every social strata of the nation, encompassing everything from the national mindset to daily activities of the subjects of the Kingdom.

As a National Mindset

Reinheit as a national mindset has been documented as a straightforward affair. Many foreigners have summed it up in the common idiom of "what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and that gander of geese is Ostland". Foreign affairs, military spending and welfare are all geared towards the betterment of the nation as a whole, often called the Reinenation or Pure Nation. This can be seen in a relatively staunch attitude towards neutrality and an unwillingness to engage in broader international affairs that have been deemed a threat to the aforementioned Reinenation.

There is also the common attitude that "Ostland is for Ostlanders", of which many foreign visitors have often seen as mildly offensive and intolerant - until they realize the true meaning behind it. Many ethnic Ostlander Norse welcome people of all ethnicities, but it is the generally accepted attitude that if one wishes to live and remain in Ostland, one must accept that Ostlandic is the national and common language, there are established social norms and that deviation from social norms does not produce a cohesive and productive society. Seeing a need for this, Ferdinand I of Ostland - also the founder of the Arbeitskorps - implemented programs to ease new foreign residents into living in Ostland with language programs, housing placement and of course placement in the Arbeitskorps after a one-year acclimation period.

Reinheit is more than what it translates as a word into the common tongue of Micras. It is our nation, our daily life -- all the way down to how we greet someone or our table manners. Purity, chastity, good manners, good will, the list truly goes on. When it comes to our nation it means, more often than not, keeping our noses out of the business of other nations. It means lavish dinners for friend OR foe should they grace my palace. It also means...I think...a passion for defending those concepts. A certain ferocity of the spirit. Reinheit is not Reinheit without the will to ensure we have it, by any means necessary.

—Nikolaus VI, Interview on 1712, explaining Reinheit

Reinheit in Daily Life

Reinheit in daily life can be considered the embodiment of the collective demeanor of the average Ostlander. A quiet politeness, disguised shrewdness, a general sentiment of patriotism and a general need for the establishment of order and rules could be said to be a very basis summation of reinheit in daily life. It is, however, far more complex than what is considered the national mindset. Disapproval is often immediate but its severity is curtailed by a general politeness; however, repeated disapproval often invites a far more emotional response - especially if it is a grievous infraction against social norms. With foreign visitors, Ostlandic patience is somewhat extended for a brief period - rather than immediately scowling and declaring someone to be an unreineschwein, many will either simply ignore it or enjoy a good laugh.

Both the young and the old are cherished in Ostland as part of reinheit - the old being the teachers and keepers of reinheit, with the young being the new generation that will continue the traditions and work for the prosperity of the nation. Impoliteness towards the elders is considered an especially grievous social infraction, with many more conservative policemen taking it upon themselves to publicly chastise and deride youth who do not show proper manners to the elderly - a very loud and boisterous "Allo, schmutzigekind!" is the tell-tale sign of a patrolman about to deliver a particularly severe lecture to an impolite youth.

Social manners, known as Reinejänte - of which has no direct translation, are an often unspoken but widely observed and enforced rule of thumb in Ostland.

• Social Greetings
  • First-acquaintance greetings are formal, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.
  • Ostlanders have both a family (clan) surname a patrilineal surname; they often introduce themselves with their full name, but it is considered polite to use solely the family name.
  • In some circumstances people may use the honorific title "Herr" (Mr.) or "Frau/Fraulein" (Mrs./Ms.) and both their surnames.
  • You must wait to be invited before moving to given/first names.
  • Shake hands and say good-bye individually when arriving or departing.
  • Shake hands with people on a first come first served basis, showing preference of any kind amongst a group is considered especially rude and can sour any occasion very quickly
• Gift Giving Etiquette
  • If invited to a Ostlander's home, bring flowers, chocolates, pastries, beer or liquor, to the hostess - never the host.
  • Flowers must be sent the morning of a dinner party so they may be displayed that evening.
  • Do not give wreaths, even during Jul - this is considered insincere flattery as such gifts are reserved for the Royal Family.
  • A houseplant is well received in the winter months.
  • A bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers is always appreciated, especially edelweiss.
  • Gifts are opened when received - setting an unopen gift down in front of the gift-giver is considered a sign of unwelcome.
• Dining Etiquette
  • Invitations are generally given verbally amongst friends, written invitations are considered strictly formal.
  • Ostlanders are punctual in both business and social situations - being early is a sign of impatience and being late is a sign of slovenliness.
  • Confirm the dress code with your hosts.
  • Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served, to not do so will earn one the reputation of a free-loader
  • Never discuss business. Ostlanders separate their business and personal lives. Dinner or other meals are considered a personal engagement, even if it stems from business - business will be discussed after the meal. It will also never be discussed before a meal, as it runs the risk of spoiling the festivities.
  • Reciprocate any invitation, even if you must decline. No word at all is a sign of ignoring a friend.
  • Table manners, even during a family dinner are considered everything - it is considered their pride in their refinement and adherence to reinheit.
  • Hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
  • When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right if you do not wish additional servings.
  • The male guest of honor, generally seated to the left of the hostess, thanks the hostess on behalf of the other guests.
  • The host makes a small speech and offers the first toast.
  • Toast the hostess and host (simultaneously, but mentioning the hostess first) throughout the meal.
  • Toasts are made with beer during non-holiday dinners, but always spirits during holiday feasts.'
    • New Brittanic Stouts are acceptable during winter months, Lagers are usually drank during the spring and fall and Pale Ales or Pilsners are usually drank during summer months during meals. All other times are the preference of the drinker.
    • Fruit schnapps are drank during the spring and summer during holiday meals, while herbal schnapps and are enjoyed during fall and winter.
    • In many cases, when the host or hostess is a home-brewer or home-distiller, it is common to be served their house brand - never commercial, if homemade is available.
  • When someone is being toasted, raise your glass, look at the person, take a healthy drink of beer, look at the person again, and then return the glass to the table.
  • No guest may lower their glass during a toast before the host does.
• Personal Hygiene
  • Personal hygiene is considered an absolute paramount amongst Ostlanders.
  • Showering is the most common method of washing ones body in Ostland, as tub-bathing is considered rudimentary and archaic given modern society. Bathing in a soup of one's own filth is considered obnoxious.
  • Many Ostlanders shower at least twice per day, once in the morning and once before bed. Those in manual trades and other trades which otherwise soil their bodies usually shower more than that.
  • The giving of soaps and perfumes as a gift is considered extremely rude, being the equivalent of telling someone they smell unpleasant and are dirty. Most Ostlanders have a considerable budget for toiletries. Such choices in toiletries are considered deeply personal.
  • Body odor is considered reprehensible outside of only the most understandable circumstances: arduous manual labor.
  • Most men wear close-cropped haircuts while women are often seen with long hair styled in pragmatic configurations.
  • Formal dress in most societies is considered casual in Ostland. It is not uncommon to see Ostlanders conducting simple daily business in what many would consider formal attire. Basic, very casual attire (tee-shirts, jeans, shorts and so forth), are reserved for the confines of one's home.
  • Communal bath houses are common in most communities but are gender and age segregated. Visiting a bath house is considered a communal occasion where social class is disregarded.