The Albanian people are super open and super loving and they appreciate if you're the same. They just really appreciate if you're yourself and you're unique. I make really weird sounds and noises and faces and they thought it was hilarious just because they didn't have anybody like that and so just be yourself and they'll love you for it.
You will come across a ton of Muslims, and they will vary in how seriously they practice the religion of Islam, but if you've got like Islamophobia or anything, just get over it, because you are going to meet some really incredible people. And I would recommend try reading up a little bit on Islam and be prepared to build common ground, because you're going to meet tons of amazing people. It's definitely the predominant religion in Albania and Kosovo, and the more you know about it and the more open you are to having those discussions, the better prepared you'll be.
So my culture tip for you is the fact that you're going to fall in love with Albania, I'm not kidding, and you will love the people. And my tip is just learn to love it from the beginning. It's so fun, they have traditional dances and traditional foods and make sure you respect and make sure you eat the food that people give you in their home because actually they're offended if you don't accept what they give you. They feel like it's like a treasure that they're giving a foreigner something that they created and they made and so it's an honor to them. So I would say eat the food and it's good. And then the other culture tip is just have so much fun with the language. Just learn it and love it and start cracking jokes with it and then you will connect to the people.
People definitely shake their heads for yes, but it's just kind of more like a head bobble. Like, they'll just like look at you and be like, hmm. And it looks like they're saying no, no, but really what they're basically doing is the American equivalent of like, yeah, yeah, I get it. Awesome. So don't be confused. However, people don't shake their heads for no. So don't worry about that. But be prepared for, or sorry, nod their heads for no. Be prepared for them to shake their heads and be agreeing with you.
One of my favorite things about Albania is that you call all the women nanas and which means mom and you call all the men jaji, which means uncle and it's a perfect representation of the culture because all the moms or all the women are like your moms They're super compassionate and nice and then all the men are like your crazy uncles And so it's like fun to recognize and realize that you're gonna meet some crazy people Especially the men but that you can love them and they're awesome. So it's good good place to be
I'm gonna talk to you about the word kismet. So, if you ever hear someone tell you the word kismet, it's basically the equivalent of saying maybe. You know, hey, do you want to come do a lesson with us? Kismet, maybe, and probably no. But it can also be so much fun, too, just because I remember this experience whenever, you know, there was this lady, this old grandma asking one of my companions, hey, whenever you're like, whenever you're older, are you gonna marry an Albanian woman? And he's like, kismet, and she just cracked up so hard because he learned how to use, you know, the Albanian culture properly, saying kismet, you know, maybe, but probably not. So, yeah, remember the word kismet.