“I’ve read many fantasy novels containing non-human societies. Usually the descriptions are simply unworkable: ‘Who feeds all these warriors ?’ often comes to mind. Of the remainder, most authors seem to concentrate on the details of the power structure, with a sidelong mention of one sport and one artistic or craft skill to typify the race (‘the Threngia enjoy bufwa, a sport similar to rugby, and macrame’). Only rarely do I receive any description that causes me to feel as if I’m learning about anything other than an obscure human tribal culture, tarted up in monster suits.”
-doubletime, from the gnolls.org forums

This is a great quote, and I expect I will steal parts of it in the future.