Culture of Carquem
LANGUAGE
Languages spoken in you country
The official language is French, and this is spoken by roughly 99% of the population. 24% of the population speaks any of the eighteen recognised regional languages (all native to Carquem), and another 30% are fluent in foreign languages.
Knowledge of foreign languages
English is part of the curriculum in all provinces and territories; some provinces and territories also mandate that one or two years of another foreign or indigenous language be taken. In these and other areas, Japanese is usually the most popular choice.
Facts about your language; speaking distance & directness
Carquien French, unlike standard French, does not have a rigid T-V distinction; the use of vous is often perceived as pretentious and antiquated, though there are certain situations in which its use is still preferred.
NUMBERS
Decimal point
The comma is used as a decimal point.
Definition of a billion
We use the long scale system; thus, 1,000,000,000 is termed milliard, whereas 1,000,000,000,000 is termed billion.
System of measurement
As with most countries, we use the metric system.
How date is written & most important dates
Date format is DD.MM.YYYY. Important dates include 03.04.1832 (the date of our Declaration of Independence) and 14.07.1946 (the day our current Constitution was ratified.)
RACE
Variety of races / attitudes about race & foreigners
The Department of the Census within the Ministry of Interior Affairs classes Carquien denizens into six groups - blanc (white), métis (broadly refers to any significant admixture of European and non-European descent, but especially refers to European and indigenous blood admixture), noir (black), Asiatique (Asiatic), indigène (indigenous people of Carquem), and autres races (other races). The majority of people are white, but there are significant numbers of Métis and Asiatic peoples, and less significant numbers of black people, indigenes, and people of other races. White people are typically stereotyped as being on top of the other races, followed by the Métis, and then by blacks, Asians, and les autres races, with indigenes forming the “bottom rung”. Despite this characterization, social mobility is an active part of society, and there are people of all races within all classes of society.
You make jokes about…
Making jokes about white people is widely accepted, even by white people themselves, and as you go down the metaphorical pyramid of races, the more controversial a joke about that race becomes. Unless you want to start a riot, you don’t make jokes about indigenes (unless you’re Métis, in which case it’s merely frowned upon.)
POLITICS
Political parties
The voting systems of the houses of Parliament and the federal structure of Carquem is conducive to a multi-party system. Coalition politics are usually a requirement, particularly at the federal level.
Attitude toward Socialism & Communism
The Workers’ Party is a social-democratic party of socialist origin that is traditionally considered one of the three main parties (along with the classical-liberal Republican Party and the Conservative Party), although it no longer considers itself socialist. The Democratic Party, explicitly described as a democratic socialist party, maintains a respectable following. The Communist Party of Carquem, of anti-Revisionist persuasion, has a minor following and occasionally earns seats in Parliament. All three parties are usually demonized by the more rightist elements of society, particularly the Democratic Party.
Does the government listen to you?
Theoretically, yes.
Can problems be solved?
If not with diplomacy, than with strategic manipulation of resources or manpower.
If a politician cheats on his wife…
Shit hits the fan. Carquem is a fairly religious country.
Military involvement with government
The military is explicitly removed from politics; politicians at the federal level are not permitted to be active or reserve military.
Freedom of speech, patriotism, royalty, changing names, misc.
Freedom of speech is held dearly, although certain things (particularly pro-or-anti-religious comments and hate speech) are controversial. Patriotism is a strong element of Carquien culture, and people who are not perceived to be patriotic enough are susceptible to ridicule. As a republic, the concept of royalty is not observed with respect to Carquien citizens. Changing names is allowed, and usually occurs in marriage (the woman taking the man’s surname, although sometimes it is the other way around.)
ECONOMICS
Utilities & companies: public or private
The public sector accounts for 26% of the economy, with private enterprise being the driving force. The government has a stake in most primary-sector industries, such as agriculture and especially forestry.
Inflation & unemployment
Our currency is about as valuable as the yen. Unemployment sits at about 11.7% as of December 2014.
Taxes
A progressive tax is used; income tax rates range between 17% and 30%. Corporate taxes, inheritance taxes, and healthcare taxes are also levied by the federal government. Each province and territory levies certain taxes, such as property taxes and school taxes.
Variety of items for sale, haggling
As we have a largely private capitalist economy, variety is typically large. Haggling over prices is rare in large markets, but in smaller markets (and in the black markets) such haggling can be fairly common, though it is frowned upon.
Credit cards
Used with frequency.
Inheritance
Aside from the inheritance tax and a certain percentage of possessions and earnings given to immediate family members, distribution of one’s possessions in one’s will is a private affair.
SOCIAL WELFARE
Attitudes toward social security, welfare programs, unemployment payments, medical assistance, charitable aid
We have a social welfare system and a universal healthcare system (though a private healthcare system does exist.) Charities are also common, usually run by religious organisations.
INTERNATIONAL
Knowledge of world capitals & leaders
Depends on one’s station in society and occupation. Some people may have almost encyclopaedic knowledge of such things, and others may have very little.
Attitudes toward the other countries of the East Pacific
Authoritarian states are looked down upon. Otherwise, general perception of countries is largely person-specific.
Has your country been conquered?
Technically, yes, as most of the area was colonized by the French.
Wars
Wars with just cause are generally lauded; otherwise, military action is subject to heated debate.
LAW AND CRIME
Court system & lawsuits
In criminal law, a jury system is not used; rather, a system of trained legal magistrates is used instead. Private law at all levels is of the civil law (i.e. Napoleonic) tradition; public law (including criminal law), in contrast, is of the common law tradition.
Bribes
Believed to be somewhat common, particularly in more rural areas. Despite this, bribery carries fairly rough criminal penalties for both the briber and the person who accepts the bribe.
Police & gun ownership
Automatic weapons are limited to military and police personnel, but gun ownership is otherwise open to the public. There are some instances of police brutality, particularly toward minorities.
Dangerous places
Certain cities (the capital Saint-James du Sille and Couidiem) are viewed as very safe, whereas other cities (Pecoult, our largest city, as well as Le Mont and Stratton) are more dangerous and feature significant gang activity. The Territory of Île d’Élisabeth in the far north is also known for having a high crime rate on the whole.
Lawyers
There are two kinds - avocats (equivalent to British barristers, dealing mainly with criminal proceedings) and notaires (somewhat equivalent to British solicitors). A minority are licenced to practice as both.
EDUCATION
History you learned
The history of Carquem (particularly that of the War of Independence) is fairly ingrained, as well as that of the history of one’s province or territory, whereas knowledge of history of other places is more limited.
Cost of school
Public primary and secondary schooling (for twelve years, from roughly the ages of 5-16) is tax-funded, and therefore of marginal cost to the parent outside of taxes. Private schools typically levy tuition rates that, while more expensive than public school, are not by any means exorbitant. For the voluntary pre-university years of collège education (ages 17-18 for university-track students and ages 17-19 for vocational-track students), public college tuition is typically cheaper than that of private pre-college schools; private college tuition is about the same.
University
Public universities are run by provinces and territories; they charge fairly low tuition rates for in-province/territory students, and tuition rates matching those of private universities for out-of-province/territory and international students. This is because public universities (barring campuses of the Federal University of Carquem, which have no bias toward province/territory of origin) are tasked by provincial/territorial governments to provide tertiary education first and foremost to residents.
A baccalauréat (bachelor’s degree) is typically rewarded after three years of study, a maître (master’s degree) is typically rewarded after five years of study (cumulative w/ baccalauréat), and a doctorat (doctorate degree) is typically rewarded after eight to ten years of study (cumulative w/ baccalauréat and maître.)
EMPLOYMENT
Are you a farmer?
One in 15 adults work in agriculture, and these make up about half of all jobs in the primary sector.
Can you be fired?
Yes.
Labour Day
The Labour Day holiday is observed on 1 May.
Appointments, punctuality, negotiating
Appointments are usually scheduled for meetings of almost any kind, and punctuality is typically stressed. To be late is to act disrespectfully.
TRANSPORTATION
Traffic
Traffic is left-hand. Traffic light violations are strictly monitored, and violators reprimanded.
Taxis
Taxis are generally viewed as a safe method of transportation, and tourists frequent them in large cities.
Quality of public transportation, trains, buses, planes
Subway systems are installed in thirteen cities nationwide, and they are widely used in their area. Trains are used infrequently for long-distance travel, as are buses; planes and cars are more preferred methods.
RELATIONSHIPS
First names & forms of address
First-name basis is reserved for friends and certain family members. Otherwise, monsieur, madame, or insert-title-here precedes a person’s surname.
Arranged marriages & wedding customs
Arranged marriages are rare and frowned upon. Marriages are registered at a local courthouse, and most have a religious ceremony. Polygamy is outlawed.
Importance of family background & social status
In rural areas, family background is extremely important; in more urban areas, family background is typically replaced by increased social mobility.
Preferences of physical appearance
Thinness is generally preferred, though there is such a thing as “too thin”.
Sexuality & attitudes toward homosexuality
Sexuality is a topic of debate. Though same-sex marriage was recognised in several areas beforehand, it has only been recognised on a federal level (and hence nationwide) since 2013.
Relations with family / visiting / misc.
As stated earlier, appointments for visits are preferred, though this varies by person. The saying “you can’t choose your family” is widely (though not universally) observed.
AT HOME
Things in your house
Televisions and (increasingly) computers are commonplace. Laundry and cooking is typically done at home.
Bathroom
The bath/shower, toilet, sink, and bidet (Carquiens loathe unclean anuses) are typically all in the same room.
Telephone
Landlines are going out, but cell phones are ubiquitous.
Climate
A relatively small area of the southern mainland has a Mediterranean climate. The entirety of the west coast and some ways inland have an oceanic climate (with some areas, such as that around Pecoult, being temperate rainforest due to high rainfall.) The eastern areas, particularly the further north you go, transition to a continental climate. The far north, such as L’Île d’Élisabeth, is typically subarctic.
FOOD
Biggest meal of the day
Dinner is the biggest meal of the day. Traditionally, Carquiens work hard during the day, and come home to eat and relax at night.
What you won’t eat (and odd things you will)
Horse meat is a delicacy (thank our French overlords), as is deer, elk, and moose meat (thank our Indigenes). We aren’t fond of dogs, cats, rodents, or insects.
How you eat & local cuisine
As a Western European would, Carquiens typically eat seated at a table in a chair, with eating utensils for most dishes. Local cuisine is essentially a mixture of French and Indigenous cuisines, as might be expected.
Fast food & restaurants
Some fast food restaurants are popular, but their lack of health benefits are recognised. Fast food is typically a lunchtime thing; dinner is almost exclusively the domain of non-fast food restaurants (or home cooking.)
Packaging
Depends on the producer.
HEALTH
Quality of healthcare & national health insurance
Public healthcare is of a decent standard, but private healthcare is often seen as providing a higher standard of care.
Attitudes toward doctors
Doctors are respected, although they are sometimes sued (rightfully or wrongfully) for malpractice.
RELIGION
Major religions & attitudes toward them
Catholicism and Protestant sects are the main faiths, with minorities of Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and followers of indigenous faiths. The indigenous faiths are regarded as evil by a select few, but otherwise, religious tolerance is widely accepted. There have been some anti-Semitic incidents, primarily committed by Muslim immigrants.
Relationship between church and state
There is no state faith, but the culture is influenced by Christianity as a whole, particularly in its holidays.
Christmas & other holidays
Christmas is the main holiday, but Halloween, New Year’s Day, Easter, Constitution Day, and Independence Day are all popular.
VACATIONS
Amount of vacation time
Workers are typically allotted two weeks of vacation time per year.
Topless & nude beaches
Topless beaches are common and open to all; nude beaches are open to adults only.
Hotel rooms with private baths
Most hotels have rooms with private baths.
Popular travel destinations & recreational activities
Traveling down to Saint-Marie (or Polmanie province as a whole, really) for lounging is popular year-round, due to the warm summers and the mild, comparatively dry (and snowless) winters. Other popular destinations are the Chevalier Mountains in the northern areas, Lake Snenie, and the major cities due to architectural and cultural attractions.
ARTS
Attitude toward opera, ballet, theatre, etc.
Opera and ballet are typically frequented by enthusiasts of those disciplines and socialites. Theatre is not as popular as film, but it attracts a respectable amount of popular support.
MOVIES
Dubbing or subtitles?
Subtitles are preferred by cinephiles, and dubs are preferred by most audiences.
TELEVISION
TV news, newspapers, & print media
There are several TV news networks, several national newspapers (usually doubling as local newspapers in their areas of publication), and a multitude of local newspapers.
COMICS
Format
Newspaper serialisation is popular, but books are also frequently compiled.
SPORTS
Popular sports
Football, rugby, and cricket are all popular sports.
