Laos Akha Tribe - Thanksgiving

After traveling for some time down a dusty, bumpy two-track we finally arrived at a very poor Akha village. It was late afternoon and despite the children running away from us (most of our pictures were taken without looking through the viewfinder)we were warmly invited to celebrate an Akha thanksgiving meal. We sat around a small round table, starting the meal by eating the first rice harvested this season. We were humbled by their hospitality and I was offered the very coveted chicken head.
What is the key to becoming a gracious guest? I think in my experience it's been letting my host know how much I deeply appreciate (if you can't outright enjoy) what you are offered. What would you do if you were offered the best of something that you might consider something disgusting?