Why it Pays to Know Local Customs When Traveling

[Dan Gould]

From today's Times:

FIJI: A POSTPRANDIAL APOLOGY

Residents of a mountain village where an English missionary was killed and eaten in 1867 will offer an apology to the man's descendants, local media reported. The only known white victim of islands once called the Cannibal Isles, the Rev. Thomas Baker of the London Missionary Society was killed by villagers on Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji's islands, because he rudely touched a chief's head and was subsequently cooked. The Pacific Islands News Association said Chief Ratu Filimoni Wawabalavu had invited Mr. Baker's descendants for the apology. It is still considered rude in Fiji to touch another's head without permission.

[JSngry]

So I'm guessing that The Three Stooges never gained too much a following in Fiji, eh?

(hmmm... "Foothold In Fiji", sounds like a Wayne tune from the Blakey days... )

[Swinging Swede]

[AfricaBrass]

That Dave Harris record is cool! I love Raymond Scott's music.

Back to the topic,

I sure hope someone told the descendents about this head touching thing. I'd hate to read about another family tragedy.

[Jazzmoose]

Well, like the fine print on the bottom of the recipe card says, two heads are better...nah, I can't do it.

[Shrdlu]

I am a present-day missionary, and I thought I had problems!

[bertrand]

The Reverend Baker's mission was not a total loss - at least they said grace before eating him.