MindVague's tale reminds me of one my Aunt tells a story about a trip she, my uncle, and my cousins took to North Africa many years ago.

My oldest cousin is blond and in her late teens at the time. She and my aunt were in a rug shop. Another customer in the store walked up to my aunt and said, "Your daughter, very beautiful."

aunt: "Thank you."
stranger: "How many rugs?"
aunt: "What?"
stranger: "Your daughter. How many rugs?"
aunt: "Ha ha! How many? All of these here." (gestures to a tall stack...)
stranger: "These here?" (with little hesitation...)

At this point the proprietor of the rug shop figured out what was going on and came rushing over, "No, no, he is serious. He will buy your daughter." I imagine he was familiar enough with Western Culture to think that that he may get in trouble...