Wealth scale is a bit borked in this time and place. Most tribes used to be poor, but some have recently enriched themselves through horsecatching. The whole continent is mangled, former economy wiped out, and new ones have not yet solidified. This thread is actually following the development of a new economic system in Blackfeet territories. So folks are talking trade.
For comparison:
Horse Prices Typical range of horse prices: $100 – $10,000 Wild mustang (unbroken): $100-$200 Average hobby horse: $3,000 Good show or trail horse: $5,000-$10,000 Expensive purebreed: $250,000
The bigger and better the gift, the more interest shown. If the intended recipient or their family is uninterested, they can decline, but a gift is usually offered after a show of interest. Horses were common courting gifts across the Plains tribes, and whichever family paid for a wedding (there could be either a dowry to the husband's family or a bride price to the wife's family depending on the tribe) it was usually a lot of horses. So that makes one horse a logical choice of courting gift.
The general value of horses depends on age, sex, training, and individual quality. On average: * Any foal too young to break or work is worth less than a mature horse. * A fine "stallion candidate" colt is worth considerably more. * An elderly horse is worth less than one in its prime. * A gelding is worth less than a mare. * A well-trained breeding mare is the standard. Many horses are of this type. * Horses are worth more than average if they have desirable markings or skills. * A prime breeding stallion is worth the most. Not only can he be worked if well-trained, he can bring in stud fees.
>> I'm imagining "my best horse" equates to a really nice car...which is a bit much (value-wise) for an opening gift in my culture. <<
More like an everyday car or a high-end bicycle, but you have to consider that in the Aftermath, a horse is much more useful than a car. Tribal people have shown minimal tendency to cling to Before tech, and are transitioning as fast as possible to sustainable tech like horses.
>> I'm mostly wondering how specific cultural context works here. <<
Historically, the Plains tribes traded horses all the time for everything. Ceremonies, marriages, breeding purposes, gambling, you name it. The fact that everyone has brought horses for trade as well as work show that they want to get right back to this.
Traditionally, horses were used as courting gifts and marriage payments across Plains tribes. The value of the courting gift indicates the level of interest. Rick is bisexual and very interested in Alex, who is flirting like mad. Rick is a high-value mate because he is a man. Alex is a high-value mate because he is a two-spirit. Both of them wish to declare their interest in each other strongly enough to discourage anyone else from making overtures until after they have decided whether or not to pursue a relationship. This is a prudent move given that the various traveling parties consist mostly of young single people open to mate selection. In this context, "my best horse" is culturally appropriate, a high opening bid, and socially astute. Quite possibly someone(s) else is thinking, "Well, fuck, I missed my chance."
Note that there are a LOT of horses in play here. All the travelers have at least 2 trail horses per person for riding, because on a long trip you don't want to risk delays from tired or lame horses. Plus pack horses. There are horses for trade. In particular, people have brought stallions for trade or stud. In this context, exchanging gifts of high-quality "stallion candidate" colts has a higher value than usual because it speaks to the future. They're implying that they want long-term relationships, because it'll take a few years for the studlings to grow up, but their quality of offspring will start to come clear in 5 years or so.
Thoughts
Wealth scale is a bit borked in this time and place. Most tribes used to be poor, but some have recently enriched themselves through horsecatching. The whole continent is mangled, former economy wiped out, and new ones have not yet solidified. This thread is actually following the development of a new economic system in Blackfeet territories. So folks are talking trade.
For comparison:
Horse Prices
Typical range of horse prices: $100 – $10,000
Wild mustang (unbroken): $100-$200
Average hobby horse: $3,000
Good show or trail horse: $5,000-$10,000
Expensive purebreed: $250,000
So horses tend to cost less than cars, low end to luxury, but they do cover a similar range. The cheapest used cars cost less than $1,000. The cheapest new cars run $15,000 to $20,000 and the average is close to $40,000. Most luxury cars cap out around $300,000.
>> and appropriate range of courting-gifts? <<
The bigger and better the gift, the more interest shown. If the intended recipient or their family is uninterested, they can decline, but a gift is usually offered after a show of interest. Horses were common courting gifts across the Plains tribes, and whichever family paid for a wedding (there could be either a dowry to the husband's family or a bride price to the wife's family depending on the tribe) it was usually a lot of horses. So that makes one horse a logical choice of courting gift.
The general value of horses depends on age, sex, training, and individual quality. On average:
* Any foal too young to break or work is worth less than a mature horse.
* A fine "stallion candidate" colt is worth considerably more.
* An elderly horse is worth less than one in its prime.
* A gelding is worth less than a mare.
* A well-trained breeding mare is the standard. Many horses are of this type.
* Horses are worth more than average if they have desirable markings or skills.
* A prime breeding stallion is worth the most. Not only can he be worked if well-trained, he can bring in stud fees.
>> I'm imagining "my best horse" equates to a really nice car...which is a bit much (value-wise) for an opening gift in my culture. <<
More like an everyday car or a high-end bicycle, but you have to consider that in the Aftermath, a horse is much more useful than a car. Tribal people have shown minimal tendency to cling to Before tech, and are transitioning as fast as possible to sustainable tech like horses.
>> I'm mostly wondering how specific cultural context works here. <<
Historically, the Plains tribes traded horses all the time for everything. Ceremonies, marriages, breeding purposes, gambling, you name it. The fact that everyone has brought horses for trade as well as work show that they want to get right back to this.
Traditionally, horses were used as courting gifts and marriage payments across Plains tribes. The value of the courting gift indicates the level of interest. Rick is bisexual and very interested in Alex, who is flirting like mad. Rick is a high-value mate because he is a man. Alex is a high-value mate because he is a two-spirit. Both of them wish to declare their interest in each other strongly enough to discourage anyone else from making overtures until after they have decided whether or not to pursue a relationship. This is a prudent move given that the various traveling parties consist mostly of young single people open to mate selection. In this context, "my best horse" is culturally appropriate, a high opening bid, and socially astute. Quite possibly someone(s) else is thinking, "Well, fuck, I missed my chance."
Note that there are a LOT of horses in play here. All the travelers have at least 2 trail horses per person for riding, because on a long trip you don't want to risk delays from tired or lame horses. Plus pack horses. There are horses for trade. In particular, people have brought stallions for trade or stud. In this context, exchanging gifts of high-quality "stallion candidate" colts has a higher value than usual because it speaks to the future. They're implying that they want long-term relationships, because it'll take a few years for the studlings to grow up, but their quality of offspring will start to come clear in 5 years or so.