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from the former site http://www.trekmuse.org/romulan/dict/word9.html
A typical Rihannsu family is similar to the Terran counterpart, composed of a mother, father, and children, and is located within a noble house. Generally, these houses can be huge, especially in the case of some major houses. The family unit does not look to one parent as superior, as both mother and father have equal status both in the family and society. Although male children are favored, females are not considered second class citizens or stigmatized. Quite the contrary, females fill quite a few command positions in the Rihannsu Star Empire.
Finally, divorce and separation are extremely uncommon within Rihannsu families because the bond between the husband and wife is so very deep that the possibility of divorce and separation never enters their minds. A typical Rihannsu family is very happy and devoted to each other, united by the common bond of love and commitment.
It is within the family unit the first lessons in mnhei'sahe will be taught to ground a child in the basic morality of Rihannsu life and society. Similar to some Terran families, the Rihannsu family also includes every single blood member of the house. Each member of the house is responsible for seeing that all of the children are raised in the proper traditions of the house and that the lessons of mnhei'sahe are taught and learned properly from birth.
For an in-depth discussion on Rihannsu families, see FAMILIES.
PROPER SALUTATIONS
Military
A common question for most cadets and citizens is when to bow, whom to salute and how many times. Citizens do not have to salute, but it is polite to bow to your superiors. Once is enough when entering a room and leaving. The same holds true for eredhin (cadets or students), saluting when you enter and room and leaving. When you become a higher ranking officer, you may acknowledge lower ranks in any way you feel fits the situation: from a bow to a nod to completely ignoring them.
Superiors can be addressed in one of two ways. Most formally, they are addressed by their rank. Instructors at the Phi'lasasam, for example, would be addressed as Vaed'rehai. In less formal situations, if you are in the military, you are generally expected to address all superior officers as "rekkhai," with the exception of social occasions. "Rekkhai" is a gender neutral term and is used for male and female superiors alike. Inferior officers may be addressed by rank or name. Civilians are expected to address military officers by their rank unless invited otherwise.
When military personnel greet each other, the one of lower rank is required to salute the officer of higher rank. The higher ranking officer can then decide whether to nod, salute, or ignore the other. Very seldom will someone ignore a salute. If the two officers are of the same rank, they may nod or salute the other, and do the same in return. Both the Galae and the Tal Shiar are considered military legions for this purpose. If a military officer and a civilian meet, the lower ranking one would bow to the higher ranking one, who could bow, nod, or ignore the other. It is impolite for even a high ranking civilian not to acknowledge the bow of a military officer, as they ignore the defenders of the Empire. Members of the Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi and the Rihannsu Merchant Marine may be considered civilians.
There are many times when you will have to deal with people outside your chain of command, whether it be people from other legions or from parallel commands within your own legion. It is not the purpose of this page to attempt to outline chains of command for each branch of the service, nor do we intend to do so. Let us simply say that, because someone is not in your chain of command does not mean they should not expect proper courtesy from you. You may not be required to follow their orders, although in some circumstances you may, but in all other respects, you should treat them as you would an officer of equivalent rank in your own command structure. If their rank does not translate into your command structure, assume they are a superior. If it does translate and they are an inferior, remember that they are no more expected to follow your orders than you would the orders of their superiors.
The exception to all this, of course, is the Tal Shiar. The Tal functions both as the Empire's intelligence agency and as counterintelligence, and some would call them the secret police. The Terrans compare them to organizations from their history known as the KGB and Gestapo. Whatever you call them, regardless of your rank or branch of service, it is always wise to consider any Tal of any rank as a superior officer in your chain of command. You ignore the requests of even the lowliest Tal at your own peril.
Civilians
Important civilian citizens should be addressed as "lhhai" (sir) or "lhhei" (madam) while heads of noble houses should be addressed as "hru'hfirh" (lord or lady). If you were talking to the Fvillha, who was also the head of his own house, you would address him as "hru'hfirh," but if it was a matter dealing with the Empire, you would address him as "Fvillha."
It is impolite for even a high ranking civilian not to acknowledge the bow of a military officer, as that would mean ignoring a defender of the Empire. Position, however, always outweighs rank. If an Arrain is the commanding officer of a vessel, he would be addressed with his position, "Riov", not with his rank, "Arrain."
If two civilians meet, one may choose to bow to the other, although it is not required. The other may choose to nod or bow in return, or to do nothing at all, although that can be considered rude.
Non-Rihannsu
At some time you will undoubtedly have to deal with those who are other than Rihannsu. Even then, certain protocols apply. Allies should be treated with respect, though you should always remember to use caution in your dealings with them. Even our enemies deserve a type of respect. First, and most important, you are always expected to be in control of yourself in your treatment of them. Second, you should remember that we are an honorable people, even if our enemies are not. Do not forget that an enemy's lack of honor is no excuse for you to forget your own.
from the former site: http://www.trekmuse.org/romulan/rombehv.html
