Albania has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. The sea is blue, the food is delicious, and the prices are still "reasonable" compared to its neighbors.
But, as in any other place that you suddenly discover is not as scary as you might have previously thought with prejudice, there are some behaviors from tourists that locals observe with a critical eye.
Here are 5 behaviors that, although not addressed out loud as a problem, tourists always do:
1. They speak very loudly.
On the street, in a restaurant, on the beach – some tourists have a timbre of voice that breaks the waves of the Ionian Sea. There's no need for us to hear you telling your husband that you don't want to eat meatballs anymore, or how you lost your charger at the hostel.
Albanians are certainly not as quiet as Scandinavians, but shouting in public is a big "no" and a lack of respect.
2. They don't bother to speak Albanian.
Sometimes not even English, but only in their native language. A “hello”, a “thank you”, a “please” is not too much to ask for. Some tourists don’t even try – they just speak in Italian, French, Russian, German, or some dialect of their own with the conviction that Albanians must understand them.
3. They are drunk (or worse) in public
The promenade is not Ibiza. And there's nothing pretty about being held up by a pillar because you overdid it with brandy or whatever other substance you decided to overconsume because "it's tolerated when you're on vacation."
4. They record everything - especially other people - for their social networks
When an influencer films the waitress who brought her coffee "a little late" and makes a story with the caption "worst service ever," locals see it and remember it.
The same goes for those who film people on the beach, in the market, on the street - without asking permission, just to make content for TikTok. Privacy is precious in every country in the world, you don't get a free pass just because you might have the perception that this rule doesn't apply in Albania.
5. They don't understand the concept of public space at all.
They block bike paths, they walk between lanes, often in large groups and yes, very noisy. Maybe in their country there is a system. Here, we are trying to build one. Bike paths are for... bikes. But no, some tourists walk calmly in the middle as if they are in a park. Albanians may not shout, but that long look is pure judgment.
However, much of this behavior is probably not out of malice, but simply a lack of familiarity with the local culture. Many tourists are unaware that Albania is a welcoming, but also proud, country.
We understand that vigilance and caution are lowered when you've decided to enjoy a few days of your own leisure in a foreign country. But a "thank you," a slightly lower voice, and a little more respect for the unwritten rules will make you seem like a guest, not a burden or an inconvenience.
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