3. Hospitality

[Zeo DiPaulo]

Hospitality

As in many other areas of vampiric behavior, there are cross overs between what one would see in a human culture in a given area and the vampiric one. However, there are aspects of vampiric hospitality that are universal, and as such, not observing them is a quick way to convey displeasure in your guests' presence, and/or to insult said guest. Typically speaking, it is wiser in most cases to be the one bearing the insult if the guests are of higher rank or esteem.

• Functions
• Intimate settings
• Housing Guests
• Guest propriety

[Zeo DiPaulo]

Social Functions

Social functions are gatherings that included more than four guests, and imply a setting that takes place within a participant's home, or other owned property. The standards of conduct depend on if the gathering is an official/proper/high end gathering, or a more familiar or unruly one.

• General:
  
  In General the host or hostess (in cases where there is a host/hostess) is responsible for seeing to the needs of the guests. This includes fresh, adequate blood, a place to rest, entertainment as appropriate by the type of gathering, and (if necessary/appropriate) somewhere to spend the following day. Token gifts are typically expected; however, if the gathering is sufficiently large (20+ guests) alternate procedures, such as formal letters of gratitude for invitation, excusing of "lesser guests" (typically in high end gathers with more than 50 guests), and unspoken exchanges of invitation (wealthier guests of high end gatherings) are observed in lieu of gifts.
• Parties:
  
  A term usually used for the more modern gatherings, usually based on casual drinking, blood sports, sex, or other forms of entertainment. There is little social expectation in regards to these gatherings, except that the property and will of the host be respected. This is the only social function in which a host may ask or require guests to bring with him/her a supply of blood, or spiking ingredient; however this is expected to be specified at the time invitation is extended. Similarly, it is the one "social function" that a guest is not expected to bring a token gift as thanks for being allowed into the host/hostess home (unless the nation involved has a culture that insists on this tradition as reflected in human societal rules of that nation).
• Event Gatherings:
  
  An event gathering surrounds a specific celebratory occurrence in a vampire's life. In these cases, it is expected that the vampire(s) being honored by the gathering be greeted, and in kind greet every guest personally. Event gatherings are more or less popular based on country and the individual's personal preferences. Reasons for event gatherings can include birth/turned days, the day a union is formed (usually considered political), and personal achievements. Guests are allowed to bring their own blood source if it is their preference.
• Spiking Agent Tasting:
  
  Typically featuring an alcoholic construct of the host/hostess. At such an event, while the source of the blood may differ, usually only vintages or styles of the beverages(s) the host/hostess owns will be presented. As such, gifts of alcohol are inappropriate, unless it is a particularly choice offering. It is considered rude or a sign of incompetence to not have information about diet of the blood source (for at least the past week), how long the source has been conditioned for the gathering (in cases of a tasting different sources are likely to presented at different exposures to the brew/vintage over time), and if the source of the blood is of a particular line, what line he/she has come from. Often such events, though social by nature are meant to promote owners product, as such it is not inappropriate to discuss meeting for future business deals; however the specifics of such business deals should not be brought up at the event.
• Blood Tasting Gathering:
  
  Difficult to host in many countries, Blood Tasting is designed to present different blood source lines. At these events it is considered inappropriate to ask for blood to be spiked, it is expected that those in attendance have sophisticated enough pallets to theorize as to the pleasantries of the blood quality conditioned as they might like it through diet and spiking. At the same time, it is expected that all blood sources presented be appropriately fed with either regional cuisine. At such a gathering, a proper guest should not bring their own blood source.
• Political/High Society Event
  
  In cases of High Society Events it is considered extremely rude to bring a blood source or one's own blood spiking ingredients, as it is the host/hostess sole duty to account for the tastes of the guests. It is however considered appropriate, and in some cases of high ranking, noble, or royal vampires expected for guest to bring with them one other, typically a guard. While these individuals are not part of the event, they are also provided for, as far as basic needs.
  
  Instances in which vampiric children (ie born children) are allowed to attend or be brought along have fallen out of practice since the successful move of power from royals to that of the high council in the late 1950's/early 1960's. As such, no vampire born after those dates would have experience in high society functions until they were nearing physical maturity.

[Zeo DiPaulo]

Intimate Settings

• Intimate gatherings are either small in nature, or consist only of family and close friends. These tend to be more laid back, and may or may not be treated as a joint effort in providing blood or spiking agents.
• Intimate gathers in the states will usually be held in a vampire's personal quarters, clan neutral ground, or with the permission of the clanmaster, within a specified location on clan grounds. In countries where clan members are allowed to live in housing separate from the clan master, such gatherings are typically held in the host/hostess' house or apartment.
• If a gathering is held on clan grounds, the clanmaster/mistress may require compensation for the use of clan grounds (if it takes place outside of a vampire's personal quarters) or if the host/hostess wishes to use clan cattle/slaves/servants to supply blood. It is up to the clan member to find out what his/her clanmaster decrees in this matter.
• It is customary to bring token gifts, or to supply something for the gathering. However, in countries where it is specifically customary for gifts to be brought when coming into a person's home, when hosted on clan territory, the gifts will typically be given to staff to be presented to the clanmaster/mistress at his/her convenience, unless the clanmaster/mistress has decreed otherwise. This is due to the fact that, while the guests are present to enjoy the company of the clan member, it is, in fact, by the grace of the clanmaster/mistress that they have been permitted into the home. Similarly, when it is culturally expected to formally send thank you notes for being allowed into another's home after the fact, these will be sent to the clanmaster/mistress, rather than the host/hostess.

[Zeo DiPaulo]

Housing Guests

The expectations towards a guest who is going to stay in a vampire's home (in countries where vampires are allowed to live outside of the clan house) or the clan house (by permission of the clanmaster) is fairly standard, but there are some acceptable deviations depending on the status of the host/hostess, the status of guest, and the duration of the stay.

Living needs and expenses:

• The host/hostess is expected to provide for the dietary and other reasonable needs of the guest, in accordance to guest status and the host/hostess ability to provide.
• Exceptions:
  In cases where the host/hostess is of low status or meager means, the guest is allowed to contribute to his/her own care as far as the host/hostess' pride allows.
  
  Those of considerable means may, rather than outright compensate a host/hostess of lesser means may circumvent this by offering a 'token of appreciation' amount (though using such a term does imply providing more than the mere cost of their stay). Such a gesture is never to be declined by those of lower status or means; however would be considered insulting if the host/hostess is of equal status or of in possession of a fair amount of wealth.
• Significant Insult:
  
  Denying a vampire of high social standing access to cattle/slaves/servants for feeding or 'personal enjoyment' is considered an insult. In some cases this may provoke a vampire into taking the hospitality he/she is entitled too
  
  Demanding, or attempting to use a host(ess) vampire's pets for feeding or 'personal enjoyment' is highly insulting, even if the host(ess) is only in possession of a pet. Pets are much more personal property, and may only be used in cases where the host(ess) freely offers, and even then it is considered graceful for the guest vampire to decline. The only exception to this rule is if the guest arrives with significant injury, and is in dire need of the blood (it is never good to go into a healing coma without a meal if it can be helped).

Entertainment and luxuries:

• If the host(ess) is planning on engaging in an extravagant affair (unless hosted by another vampire), or some extra means of entertainment, it is understood that the guest should be invited and welcome to attend.
• Spontaneous entertainments or additional amenities may be paid for in accordance to previous arrangements. Most commonly among vampires of equal standing/means host and guest will alternate covering additional expenditures. Hosts/Hostesses of great means should offer guests of lesser means to be treated (however the guest should not ask to engage in such activities as this obliges the host/hostess). Similarly, a guest of significant means should offer to take on additional expenditures and include the host(ess) in gratitude of the hospitality the guest has been offered (in this case the host should not indicate a desire for additional entertainment).
• Significant Insult:
  
  If the party of higher means offers to pay for entertainment or extra amenities for the vampire of lower means, it may be politely refused; however, if the party of higher means is insistent, and the offer is neither controversial nor too extravagant continued refusal will be seen as an insult.

Duties and Chores:

• If the host(ess) is of significant means (such that he/she is at most expected to preform managerial duties over the house/clan) the guest should not be expected to do anything beyond taking steps to ensure no excessive amount of work is forced upon the slaves/servants.
• A stay of three or less days never indicates an obligation towards preforming tasks for the host aside from steps being taken to ensure the host(ess) is not put under unreasonable strain. However, if the host(ess) is of meager means and a labor status (usually a matter in countries where vampires can live outside of clanhousing), it is considered gracious for the guest to take it upon his/herself to assist in the daily chores and tasks of the household.
• A stay of greater than three days carries the obligation of engaging in household chores and tasks (usually a matter in countries where vampires can live outside of clanhousing).
• The implications between guest and host(ess) in which both are of higher means and significant rank, is that hospitality would be extended in reverse circumstance.

[Zeo DiPaulo]

Guest Propriety

• Pets:
  
  A guest should never attempt to take or ask for permission to feed from a vampire's pet or use said pet for 'personal entertainment'. Another's pet should only be enjoyed if the host offers freely, and even then it is considered proper to decline such an offer if a different option is available. The only time a host is obligated to offer is if the guest has been significantly wounded, is in need of the blood, and has no other viable option.
• Property:
  
  The property of the host(ess) should be respected at all times. This means that unless given permission, a guest should not overtax a blood source provided by the host(ess). Other property should not be damaged or devalued beyond normal and reasonable use.
• Guests should also endeavour to cause no significant obstacle to normal household procedures. This includes refraining from troubling a host to keep him/her from preforming duties, dealing with his/her business, and attending meetings. However, this does assume that the host(ess) should also attend to the guest appropriately.