(Common Behavior, Social Rules, and Things You Will Get Judged For)
Raverie does not have religion, philosophy, or a unified belief system.
What it does have is a massive pile of “you’re supposed to do that” behaviors—manners, habits, dares that stuck, and collective denial mechanisms.
These are not rituals. They are simply how things are done.
People who don’t follow them aren’t punished. They’re just… off.
In Raverie, lightly kicking someone in the butt is a friendly, affirming gesture.
It is used to encourage someone to leave, congratulate them, signal “you’re blocking the mechanism,” or end conversations cleanly.
Strength matters: too soft is insincere, too hard is hostile.
Kicking with the toe is rude; kicking with the side of the boot is affectionate.
Failing to kick someone when the situation clearly calls for it is considered emotionally evasive.
In winter (which is always), people stand closer than is comfortable.
Backing away repeatedly during conversation implies you are hiding something, don’t trust the person, or think they’re about to malfunction.
The only acceptable excuse is holding hot food or live machinery.
When cookies are present, you are expected to eat at least one.
If many cookies are present, it is socially acceptable—and sometimes expected—for one person to attempt to eat thirty cookies in one sitting.
This is not a contest. It is not impressive. It is simply what happens.
Complaining is fine. Stopping early is fine. Refusing entirely makes people uneasy.
No one remembers why this started. The Royal Bakery refuses to comment.
Food is rarely divided evenly on purpose. Someone always gets the burnt one, the weird one, too much, or not enough.
The correct response is to accept it, comment on it, and eat it anyway.
Attempting to redistribute food evenly is seen as overcorrecting reality and is quietly disapproved of.
These things are deeply insulting in Raverie:
Thanking someone too formally
Asking why something is done “that way”
Offering to optimize a process unprompted
Saying “that seems dangerous” without smiling
These things are not insults:
Kicking someone
Mocking their clothes
Pointing out obvious failure
Loudly predicting disaster
Tone matters more than content.
If you bump into someone, you say “watch it.” They say “yeah, yeah.”
If you break something, you explain how it happened. Someone else apologizes for being nearby.
Direct apologies imply guilt. Guilt implies responsibility. Responsibility implies paperwork.
No one wants that.
When a machine pauses, hums, or hesitates, you wait. Not because it’s polite—because that’s how things are done.
Pressing buttons repeatedly is frowned upon. Talking to machines is normal. Insulting machines is acceptable if done creatively.
People will absolutely glare at you for rushing a mechanism, even if it works faster.
If something is moving, you step over it. You never step on it—even if it’s safe, even if it’s designed for it.
Stepping on moving parts is considered arrogant.
Scarves serve no consistent mechanical purpose. They are decorative, comforting, and something to fiddle with when alarms go off.
Not wearing a scarf makes people think you’re new, reckless, or about to cause a problem.
Extra scarves are loaned without comment.
Hat size, angle, and decoration absolutely matter. Nobody agrees on what they mean.
Do not ask.
Sometimes, groups of people will stop walking for no clear reason.
The correct response is to stop with them, look around, and resume when others do.
Trying to push through marks you as impatient or suspicious.
If something strange happens but does not immediately threaten anyone, everyone ignores it together.
Examples include a snack talking, a ghost apologizing, or a gear screaming briefly.
Ignoring is not denial. It is maintenance.
Children are rarely scolded. Instead, they are told: “No, like this,” “Not yet,” or “That’s later.”
Adults correct each other the same way. Direct explanations are avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Visitors are allowed to break customs. They are watched, quietly steered, and gently kicked if needed.
If a visitor insists on doing things “properly,” locals become uncomfortable and distracted.
Trying too hard is worse than doing it wrong.
(But Nobody Says This)
Raverie runs on machines that can kill you, a winter that never stops, and systems that only work if people stay calm.
These customs keep people moving, keep emotions manageable, and keep failure normal instead of catastrophic.
Joy, stupidity, and routine are load-bearing.
Nobody worships that idea. They just live it.