This goes both as a GM or PC: I do not feel comfortable to play on culture references that I don’t know first hand. I have come to prefer playing humans only in my games. There are non human NPC folks in my games but they don’t mimick an existing culture. I have been playing The Dark Eye in a group and that has been cirngeworthy to me, seeing all these cultural references mashed together in Aventuria…

My point was, that I do use all the quick reference hints that you would find on the back of a GM screen, I just lay them out flat before me or have them in my analog binder where I keep my notes. That’s a small binder where I can insert sheets that I need for a session and can reference older notes. The downside is that, if you play with minis etc, you would need an extra area to prepare and hide them for a surprise effect…

I have a ring binder book where I print out my session notes, including monster stats. That I have laying flat on the table. For newer systems I also include a cheat sheet for the most important rules (or page numbers in the rule book!). Maps etc. I don’t like having a wall between me and my players.