House Rules govern when the Naked House Boy is permitted or prohibited from speaking. Most of the time he is allowed to speak, though there are exceptions. Less often, the boy is instructed to “Speak With Permission” (or ‘Speak When Spoken To"). These two commands are interchangeable and mean the same thing.

The House Boy will normally respond to the Master and to guests (except when a rule or order tells him to remain silent). When ordered to only ‘Speak With Permission’, the boy is not allowed to speak unless he is given direct permission to talk or needs to respond to a question from the Master or a guest. Should the boy wish to request permission to speak, this rule allows him to raise his hand and hold it high in the air until he is either called on to speak or is told that permission is denied. The boy should be aware that a raised hand will occasionally prompt an Underarm Inspection (sometimes at the request of a visitor who thinks they see matted hair or a blemish), and he should think twice before raising his arm especially if he is ticklish in that area. Any lowering of an arm without permission is punishable with a mandatory two-swat Level One Spanking. Underarm Inspections given when an arm is raised may be combined with an inspection of the other underarm or any body part that is normally covered with hair.

The command to 'Speak With Permission’ does not prohibit the boy from engaging in silent communication, like writing on a whiteboard or using a subtle hand signal. Nothing in this rule is meant to violate the Paramount Rule maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Obviously, if there is a hazard like fire or flooding, the House Boy is authorized to speak without first raising his hand. Any boy who falsely claims an emergency when one does not exist will be punished for a Level Three Insubordination.