The first lesson is taught to Odysseus by the hostility of Polyphemus. His experience teaches him that the world is not the same in all places. On the Cyclopes ' island, Odysseus assumes xenia even though he does not know the lay of the land or anything about its inhabitants. Upon setting foot in Polyphemus ' cave, he and his men almost immediately begin feasting on the cyclops ' milk and cheeses. When Polyphemus returns, he asks the men who they are and why they are dining in his cave. Odysseus answers to him, "we are here at your knees, asking you to offer us a token of welcome or to make us a gift such as strangers have a right to receive." Odysseus ' rash assumption of xenia leads to six of his men eaten by Polyphemus during the whole encounter.
In Phaecia Odysseus recounts how
"my men were begging me... to go back and sail over the salt sea. But I did not listen to them--it would have been much better if I had!--because I wanted to see the creature and find out whether he would offer me gifts. His coming, I discovered, was to be no joy for my comrades."
The regret he expresses over his actions shows that the encounter with Polyphemus also taught him to not only to heed his