[Tutorial] : How to Use ChatGPT to Create Lore #16: Constructing Social Norms and Etiquette

Social norms and etiquette define how people in a culture interact with each other and their environment. They can reveal a society’s values, history, and worldview. Creating these details in your RPG world adds depth and immersion, allowing players to navigate their roles within diverse societies.

ChatGPT is an excellent tool for brainstorming and refining these nuanced cultural elements.

This guide will walk you through the process of designing unique social norms and customs with example prompts and responses to inspire your creativity.

Step 1: Establish the Culture’s Values

Social norms are rooted in what a society values most, such as respect for elders, communal cooperation, or individual freedom. Start by defining these values to set the tone for its etiquette.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe social norms for a society that values harmony with nature above all else.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Verdani Society
In the Verdani culture, harmony with nature is paramount. Conversations are conducted in soft tones to avoid “disturbing the spirit of the air.” Shoes are removed before entering forests as a sign of respect for the land.

Gifts are presented wrapped in biodegradable materials, often accompanied by a small plant or flower to symbolize renewal. Public displays of wastefulness are deeply frowned upon, and even visitors are gently reminded of the Verdani motto: “What you take, you must give back.”

Step 2: Explore Greetings and Interpersonal Conduct

Greetings and gestures often reflect the values and hierarchy within a society. Use ChatGPT to create culturally specific ways for characters to acknowledge each other.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Design unique greetings for a society with a strict class hierarchy where physical contact is discouraged.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
Greetings in the Hierarchal Empire of Aldaros
In Aldaros, greetings are dictated by social rank. The lower-ranked individual initiates the gesture by placing their right hand over their heart and bowing slightly. The higher-ranked individual acknowledges with a nod and a subtle flourish of their fingers, symbolizing acceptance. Physical contact is seen as a breach of personal dignity, so bows are always performed at a respectful distance. Among equals, the gesture is mutual, with both parties bowing simultaneously and saying, “May your station shine.”

Step 3: Define Taboos and Faux Pas

Taboos reveal what a society finds offensive or sacred. Understanding these can create dramatic moments in your story or game when characters accidentally—or intentionally—violate cultural norms.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe taboos in a desert society that reveres water as sacred.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Sacred Waters of Kha’Taal
In Kha’Taal, wasting water is the greatest taboo. Spilling even a drop unnecessarily is considered an insult to Aqet, the goddess of water. Public bathing is forbidden, as water used for vanity is seen as sacrilege. Visitors are often surprised to learn that drinking directly from communal water sources is punishable by exile; instead, individuals must use small, carved drinking stones to transfer water to their own vessels, symbolizing stewardship.

Step 4: Consider Dining and Hospitality Customs

Food and hospitality often showcase cultural norms, from communal dining to intricate rules of serving and eating. Ask ChatGPT to design these customs based on the culture’s values and environment.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Create dining customs for a mountainous society known for its communal spirit and scarcity of resources.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
Feasting in the Highreach Clans
Meals in the Highreach Clans are deeply communal. The host always takes the smallest portion, symbolizing humility and gratitude. Guests are expected to bring an ingredient for the communal stew, often dried herbs, root vegetables, or preserved meat. Before eating, the eldest clan member dips a wooden ladle into the stew and offers the first spoonful to the flames of the hearth, thanking the spirits of fire and sustenance. It is considered rude to finish a meal without praising the cook and the guests who contributed.

Step 5: Develop Dress Codes and Body Language

Appearance and nonverbal communication are critical elements of etiquette. They reveal status, profession, or emotional states in culturally specific ways.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Design a dress code and body language customs for a nomadic society that prizes individuality.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Free Riders of Zarnath
The Zarnathi express individuality through vibrant patterns in their attire, with each rider’s cloak telling a story of their lineage, travels, and achievements. Bright colors signify joyous occasions, while muted tones indicate a period of reflection or mourning. Body language is equally expressive: a sweeping gesture of the arm shows excitement, while crossing arms tightly across the chest signals discomfort or distrust. Visitors who wear neutral colors are seen as untrustworthy, as they appear to “hide their story.”

Step 6: Integrate Etiquette into Rituals and Ceremonies

Ceremonial customs often involve the most elaborate social norms. Use ChatGPT to create these rituals as a way to deepen your world’s lore.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe the etiquette for a coronation ceremony in a kingdom where the monarch is considered semi-divine.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Coronation of the Celestial Monarch
The coronation begins with the monarch walking barefoot through the River of Purity, symbolizing their connection to both the divine and the mortal. Attendees are required to kneel and avert their gaze until the monarch dons the Crown of Stars, a sacred artifact blessed by the clergy. Speaking out of turn during the ceremony is a grave offense, punishable by banishment. At the ceremony’s end, subjects raise their hands to the heavens, reciting the Pledge of Unity, reaffirming their devotion to the monarch and the celestial order.

Step 7: Create Exceptions and Variations

Even within a culture, etiquette might vary based on region, class, or circumstance. Ask ChatGPT to explore these subtleties for added depth.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Explain how etiquette might differ between rural and urban communities in a feudal society.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
Etiquette Variations in the Feudal Kingdom of Eldara
In rural Eldara, interactions are informal, with villagers often addressing each other by first names regardless of status. Guests are greeted with a handshake and a shared mug of ale, symbolizing camaraderie.

In contrast, urban centers like the capital require strict adherence to hierarchy. Addressing someone by their title is mandatory, and handshakes are replaced with a formal bow. The disparity often leads to misunderstandings when villagers visit the city, as their casual demeanor is sometimes mistaken for disrespect.

Final Thoughts

Social norms and etiquette bring richness and realism to your fictional cultures. ChatGPT can help you brainstorm nuanced customs and refine them to fit your world’s values and history. By designing unique greetings, taboos, and rituals, you can create societies that feel alive and immersive. Try crafting a culture’s etiquette today and see how it enhances your storytelling!