Albanian Lifestyle and Traditions: The Observations of an American Expat

The fireworks over Sarande at midnight were spectacular and uniquely emblematic of Albanian culture. Unlike typical celebrations in other countries, these pyrotechnics came from hundreds of citizen “contributors” across the city, illuminating the hillside town overlooking the open bay. This spontaneous, communal display reflected the deeper cultural essence of Albania – a society characterized by profound social cohesion and multi-generational connections that are exceptional even by Balkan standards.

As an American expatriate, I’ve discovered that Albanians possess an extraordinary spirit of genuine engagement that transcends typical social interactions. This isn’t merely an anecdotal observation, but a profound cultural characteristic. A recent experience exemplifies this perfectly: a local shop owner, upon hearing about my minor technical problem, not only offered assistance but spent over half an hour helping me resolve an issue with my phone – a gesture of spontaneous kindness that would be rare in more individualistic societies.

The Albanians I’ve encountered consistently demonstrate a warmth and communal spirit that challenges the more transactional relationships common in more industrialized nations, revealing a culture where human connection takes precedence over efficiency or personal convenience.

Traditional Eastern European Culture

The Albanian culture is old-school and very traditional. Men don’t wash dishes or do the laundry or other household tasks that are considered women’s work. During non-working hours, men hang out with their male friends in coffee shops, taverns, and parks talking or playing board games. Women are rarely seen in these places, their cultural preference being to spend time with friends and family (other women) when they are not taking care of children or tending to household tasks.

Financial Realities in a Developing Economy

The average monthly salary of $800 makes living in modern Albania a challenge especially for citizens living in the capital Tirana. Rents there have been rising in recent years amid an expanding economy, putting a strain on personal budgets. Elsewhere in the country, prices for housing are more reasonable even relative to the lower earnings away from the capital but still high for the typical Albanian.

Nonetheless, this is a nation of resilient people whose parents or grandparents endured the hardships of a communist regime. Families stick together and supplement their income through multiple income streams like small-scale agriculture and remittances from relatives working abroad. For now, the standard of living remains modest and as such the majority of people are focused on providing for basic needs rather than discretionary spending, highlighting the economic challenges facing this developing nation.

Cash is King in Albania

Albanian merchants overwhelmingly prefer cash payments due to exorbitant bank and credit card fees, which can consume up to 15-18% of their annual receipts – a significantly higher proportion compared to merchants in more affluent countries.It is therefore standard practice for locals and mindful expats to carry plenty of cash and to use it to pay for mostly everything. Therein lies a practical lesson for international visitors and an ancillary feature of Albania’s “informal economy” that benefits its citizens.

Land of Mosques and Churches

Albania is a religiously tolerant country. There are many Christians and Muslims living side by side in communities across the country. In Sarande, the local mosque broadcasts the prayer call on its loudspeakers five times a day, as is standard practice in Islamic communities around the world. The prayer calls are timed to the position of the sun, not the clock, and occur at first light, the solar zenith, the afternoon midpoint, just after sunset, and the last light when the sky becomes completely dark.

Christmas is observed in Albania but is much less of a gift-giving occasion than it is in the United States and other Western countries. Families will often have a lunch to celebrate the occasion on Christmas Day and/or, to a lesser extent, a dinner on Christmas Eve. Christmas is much more of a gift-giving and celebratory event on December 31 – New Year’s Eve, while Christian Orthodox people celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

Albanian Hospitality

The Albanian people are remarkably responsive when help is needed and are widely known for being accommodating and genuine. According to a study published in the Eastern European Journal of Regional Studies in 2019, the nation demonstrates a strong cultural pattern of informal mutual assistance networks. The people of Albania consistently show a deep sense of regard and respect for others, as evidenced by their willingness to engage in situations and problem solving. This is true both in society at large and within formal and institutional settings.

I recently met a Swedish man (born in the U.S.A.) visiting Albania on a long stay with his wife and children. The man recounted that he had been bitten by a stray dog and went to the hospital here in Sarande out of concern of being infected with rabies. He said that getting in the door of the hospital and being seen by a doctor was a very simple process and there was no problem with anything – he wasn’t asked to fill out paperwork or to produce identification. There was no intake procedure, protocol, or waiting time.

He just walked in and asked to speak to somebody in English and an orderly came right over and he asked the orderly for a doctor who spoke English regarding his dog bite. The orderly said “no problem” or words to that effect and he went away for a moment. Then a doctor came out in a moment and informed the man there was no longer any rabies cases in Sarande.

Years ago the authorities had conducted a number of aerial rabies vaccine drops that the local population of stray dogs consumed, which completely eradicated rabies in this part of Albania. Of course this was good news for the visiting Swede but the main feeling he had come away with was how simple and human-scaled his interaction with the people at the hospital had been.

Albanian Friends and Family

Albanian society is renowned for its exceptionally strong family bonds and multigenerational support systems. According to sociologist Besim Gollopeni’s 2015 study in the European Journal of Social Sciences, the Albanian family structure remains one of the most cohesive in Europe, with extended families commonly living together or in close proximity, sharing resources, and providing mutual emotional and practical support.

This deep-rooted family orientation extends naturally to friendships, where Albanians tend to incorporate close friends into their family circle, treating them with the same level of commitment and loyalty they show their relatives.

The best way to make friends with an Albanian is to not let on that you will be leaving anytime soon. Most people here (and everywhere) don’t want to invest time and energy in short-term relationships. New arrivals should play it cool even when not planning to stay indefinitely, as the reality in many cases is the unpredictability of the future. In other words, it’s not impossible that you will elect to remain rather than to move on.

The Future of Albania

There have been some strong indications of a brighter road ahead for Albania. It has the potential for a prosperous future which is taking shape in the form of a gigantic new marina complex in Vlore, which has attracted the attention of big-name investors from overseas. The development has the potential to be a catalyst for more projects and greater riches for the national economy in the coming decades.

Furthermore, the country is awaiting the grand-opening of the Vlore International Airport in 2025, the country’s second major airport after Tirana’s. In recent years, the country’s global visibility has risen substantially as foreign tourists have begun to discover its amazing culture and splendid scenery.

Nevertheless, Albania’s avenue to the future faces both opportunities and challenges within its political framework. The country’s progress toward EU membership, while advancing with formal candidate status since 2014, continues to be slowed by concerns over corruption and the need for judicial reform. Most analysts project Albania’s earliest possible EU accession around 2030, though this timeline remains fluid.

The country’s political system shows promise through its stable democratic elections and improving transparency measures, yet persistent issues with patronage networks and administrative inefficiency continue to concern international observers.

On the positive side, Albania’s young population and increasing digitalization of government services suggest potential for more agile governance, while its strategic position as a NATO member and growing regional influence strengthen its diplomatic hand. The government’s commitment to infrastructure development, as evidenced by the projects in Vlore, demonstrates a capacity for long-term planning that could help overcome traditional bureaucratic obstacles.