"Pleasantries..." He really doesn't get it. But he doesn't really feel the need to ask for clarification - if it's something to be avoided, then he can understand enough to figure it's personal choice. Some of the travelers he's met were like that, where they preferred working with the Vikute simply because they don't really engage in conversation. To that point, he's not that different, just focusing on the new flavours in the drink. There's no rush to it, and when he does reach the end? he's absolutely going to end up plucking the mint sprig out to eat. That'll end well.