We have become more and more aware of the ways and customs of people all over the world. Television and a generally increased level of education has opened our eyes to totally different cultures. But it wasn't always so. Once we regarded everything different from our own ways and customs with suspicion, wonder, amazement or amusement. It was almost beyond our comprehension, that people could live in a way so different from ours, have customs so different from ours - and it was probably beyond their comprehension that anyone could be as silly as us.
The Inuits in Greenland lived in small communities. They had maybe occasionally been in contact with whalers from other parts of the world, but they did not have a general knowledge of life there.
Then the Danes came to Greenland. Danish settlements were established in Greenland. The Greenlanders were introduced to Danish culture - Christ, coffee, and alcohol.
Once a new trading post was established on the west coast of Greenland. A small Danish community came into being (teacher/priest, tradesmen, government representative etc.). They wanted to get to know the Inuit community a bit better and invited four of their elders for a formal dinner.
They arrived and sat down at a magnificent dinner table. They had a great six course-meal with plenty of wine and formal speeches to go with it.
When the four men got back to the Inuit community, the other Inuits were, of course, very curious about what had happened at the dinner party.
"You won't believe it" one of the elders said, "they drink so much that before they start eating they have a card with their name put down by their plate, so that they won't forget it."