Of all scenes at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum, the weirdest was perhaps the sight of an Australian cabinet minister and a diplomat spraying perfume on Tuvaluan dancers as they shimmied in a cultural performance with Anthony Albanese as the honoured guest.

In pretty much any other context, it would have seemed creepy. But in Tuvalu culture, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy’s and Head of the Office of the Pacific Elizabeth Peak’s perfume spraying is a sign of appreciation and respect.