Bill was studying for a Masters Degree in American Studies at the University of London. He loved American culture, so naturally, he was a regular traveller to the USA. In particular, he liked getting to know real America beyond the obvious tourist destinations.
On one trip he was staying in a hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming when he saw an old Native American chief in full Native dress sitting in the lobby.
“Wow, who’s that?” Bill asked the desk clerk.
“Oh, that’s Chief Elephant’s Memory,” the clerk responded.
“Why’s he called Chief Elephant’s Memory?” asked Bill.
“Because he’s 93 and he still has the most amazing memory. He never forgets anything,” said the clerk. “You might not believe this but he can actually remember every single detail of his life with immediate recall.”
“Really?” Bill said, intrigued by what he was being told.
So Bill walked up to the Chief and said, “Hi there, I hope you don’t mind but I’ve heard you have the most amazing memory. They say you can remember every detail of your life. Can you tell me what you had for breakfast on your eighteenth birthday?”
“Eggs”, replied the Chief quietly.
Bill was amazed at this response but as he walked away the desk clerk called him over and said, “Hey buddy when you speak to one of our Native Americans you don’t say ‘Hi there’, it’s common courtesy to address them by saying, ‘How!’.”
Bill thanked the clerk for putting him right and promised he’d remember that next time.
One year later Bill’s back in Cheyenne again. He’s in the same hotel when he spots the same old Native American chief sitting in the lobby.
Remembering the desk clerk’s advice from his previous visit he walks up to the Chief and says, “How!”
“Sunny-side up”, the Chief responded.