The "official" House colours are mainly black with a splash of blue, but this is not enforced. Black is appropriate in all occasions, it is dignified and most importantly, black is slimming. A slash of blue adds colour, a little life to the black. However, members of the House should dress in what ever colour they best feel confortable and enhances their appearance.

-Public Formal events: Tuxedos, evening gowns, original designer outfits.
-Public Casual events: Tasteful suits and dresses, original designers outfits.
-Family Formal events: Fashion from the Restoration era, original designer outfits.
-Family Casual events: Jeans and T-shirt, original designer outfits.

Yes, I simply adore a nice original designer outfit, why do you ask?

Proper Language

In private family gatherings, French is the official language to be spoken at all time. If you do not speak french, any member of the family would be more than willing to teach you. In public, speak either the native language to the area you are in, or the language spoken by the majority within the vicinity.

A member of the House should maintain decent language at all times, vulgarity and crude behavior is not permitted. However, the nature and definition of what is considered proper and decent varies from circle to circle, thus, a member of the House may be allowed to use languages in an Anarch Rant that otherwise would be considered tasteless in the Camarilla Salons. When one is unsure of what would be considered proper in a particular social setting, always look to the person of highest standards and background and speak in such a way not to offend that individual. As etiquette is a social rule of behavior established so all parties would know the proper protocol and be at ease without fear of offending an individual, so by adjusting based upon the person of highest standards, your manners would not offend those of lesser background as well.

If you feel the need to use crude language in the presence of a Brujah and there are no Ventrue around, feel free to do so. The main point is an Armatagecois should be a social cameleon and able to adapt to any social situations, you should always make the person you are speaking to feel as comfortable as possible. When in doubt, be dignified.

The Armatage Fan Language

The Armatage Fan Language started during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, in the Palace of Versailles. The French Toreador of the Versailles were amused by the Machiavellian intrigue and subterfuge of the fan language used by the mortal courtiers. The language of the fan was taught to all upper-class women as a component of the etiquette of the times. This language developed as a courtly type of romantic signals and flirtation.

Never to be out done by mere mortals, the French Armatage Toreador has expanded the limited vocabulary. A courtier had to use the fan as a prop combined with hand gestures to convey a short message like "Meet me upstairs." or "You are tactless." The Armatagecois has artfully mastered the subtle language and with but a look combined with tilting the head in a certain angle to pass a complicated message of "I really do wish you'd worn something better, that shirt is so last season and clashes badly with those leather pants. Why don't you dig yourself a hole and die?"

The Armatagecois Fan Language is NEVER taught to outsiders and even speaking of the language's existence to non-Armatagecois is considered D�rogeance punishable stripping of House Title and exiled from House Armatage. The Toreador Fan Language is taught only from Sire to childe and Armatagecois whom doesn't known the Fan Language is obviously an infiltrator. Thus, all Armatagecois Toreador knows whom the infiltrators are. We just like to let them think we don't know... the better to feed them false information.

OOC: This is a great resource for the players of the House to have a secret language to communicate without the fear of others to overhear. The Armatage Fan Language is highly evolved form by Toreadors with their natural heighten sense of observation and tendencies toward intrigue. One where a prop (the fan) is nolonger needed and a simple gesture or look can send indepth messages to each other without the need for word, simular to the modern sign language but not as obvious or popular.

Greetings

A Gentleman would show reverence to other Gentlemen of the House, regardless of their title. A Lady would show reverence to other Ladies of the House, regardless of the title. A Gentleman should never initiate his hand to a Lady in greeting, always wait for for the Lady to offer her hand. If her hand is given with her palm down, give a proper hand kiss. A hand kiss is performed by the Gentleman lowering his face an inch or two above the hand and hold for one or two seconds. Do not make kissing noise, it would be crude. A Gentleman should never physically kiss the hand, unless with permission and in private. Never perform a hand kiss if the Lady did not wish it, if her hand is given with her palm to the side, give a professional handshake.

Reverence

In public, personages of rank should be treated with respect, though this does not mean you should make a great show of groveling to them. If the Marquis d'Armatage is talking to someone, don't interrupt, but wait to be noticed. This is obviously a common courtesy to people of any rank. If the Duchesse d'Armatage is walking past, make a small reverence (bow or courtesy) as She walks by.

How to bow or curtsey: sweep one foot round about 30cm behind the other in a neat circular movement, bend your back leg at the knee, and incline your head and shoulders slightly forward. A Gentleman may place one hand in front of his waist and the other out to the side; a Lady should place both hands slightly out to her sides, just holding out her skirts, or palm out if her skirts are too narrow to hold out conveniently. This method has the advantage of being neat and graceful, without sticking your behind out in the air (which is what happens if you just bend at the waist!). Don't sink to the floor or down on one knee, that would be undignified.

Royal Presence

Royalty have an area around them known as the Royal Presence - an area you don't go into without permission. In general, the Royal Presence exists for about three metres directly in front of His Majesty or Their Highnesses, whether seated or not. For example, if Their Highnesses are sitting, the area immediately in front is the Presence - don't stand there without permission, try not to walk through it, and if you do so, reverence.

If a Court is actually being held, the Presence extends to the back of the hall. Clear the area 3-5 metres in front of the throne and an aisle up the centre. Stand up when Royalty process in or out, and reverence as They pass. If you are called into the Royal Presence, reverence as you approach. As you leave, reverence, back up several steps, then turn and go.