"It is a pleasure," he said. He himself was unsure of how to act. Kissing her hand was what he was taught to do but the people around here were much more impolite? Informal? Modern? With certainty they were different. Instead he nodded his gratitude at the compliment.
"May I enquire when you are from?" he asked as he reached the doorway and held it open for her. "This seems to be an important question around here."