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Traditions & Customs in Albania

Traditions & Customs in Albania

Traditions & Customs in Albania

Traditions & Customs in Albania

Albanians are quite friendly. Because of their age, elder men in the Balkans expect to be treated with respect more than the rest of the population. Men, in particular, must be respected in the home. Avoid talking about religion or politics by shaking hands with them. Certain topics are strictly prohibited, even if they are legal in the United States or other countries.

Homosexuality is a perfect example. Never, ever, ever bring up the issue of gay rights. Just remember that the situation fluctuates a lot depending on where you are (village or city) and who you are chatting with. Of course, stay away from topics that are beyond local grasp in the hidden north, but be assured that the people of Tirana are just as cosmopolitan and open to new ideas as those in Western Europe. There is no need to be anxious; all you need to remember is to treat the locals with the same respect as you would at home.

Don’t be surprised if you see a gigantic, ancient AK-47 Kalashnikov hanging on the wall if you stay at someone’s house for a night or two. Albanians are quite likely to have weapons in their homes.

Traditions

Even if it’s your first time meeting someone, it’s usual in Albania to kiss the cheeks of males your age or younger (if you’re a man). Fier, Tepelena, Vlora, and Gjirokastra are significantly affected. Instead of kissing each other’s lips, people in Northern Albania just kiss each other’s cheeks. Women kiss each other, sometimes from the minute they meet, while men and women do not kiss on the cheek until they have known each other for a long time. Kissing cheeks is, nevertheless, highly common among 15–20-year-olds.

If the family has a baby, always ask to see him or her and remember to compliment him or her (usually “qenka I shendetshem, me jete te gjate” or “what a sweet baby” works best). If you’re a male or a woman in a group of guys, compliment women only if they’re under the age of 10–12. If you don’t speak English but do speak a language where the single and plural forms of “you” are not the same (e.g., Italian, Greek, German), be aware that some Albanians do not use the plural form. If the journalist is a close friend of the prime minister, “ti” may be used to address him (you in singular, “tu” in Italian, “Du” in German, or “Esi” in Greek).

When meeting someone for the first time, however, it is best to address them in plural, even though they will shortly insist on being addressed in singular. Albanian police personnel are often polite. They virtually seldom stop foreign automobiles, although they could if you rent a car. They will, however, immediately urge you to continue if they see you are a foreign guest (usually with a “ec, ec, rruge te mbare” which can be translated in “go on, have a nice trip”). When this happens, responding with a “faleminderit” is highly courteous (thank you in Albanian).

Albanians like dancing, especially during weddings. If you’re going to a party, don’t be afraid to dance! Even if you aren’t acquainted with the traditional dances, try to learn them.

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