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Albanian Values The people Albanians in general are very hospitable. They are proud of their distinctive historical and cultural heritage. Visiting foreigners are likely to be invited to the homes of their Albanian hosts. Albanians are pleased when foreigners make an attempt to speak the local language. Albania has its own distinctive traditions of etiquette, and enormous goodwill will be created if the foreign visitor is aware of them. In general they are intimately linked with the concept of hospitality, Mikprites, the notion of the guest as sacred visitor, that readers of Homer and Classical literature will be familiar with, but where the guest also has certain clear obligations to the host. While informal patterns of behavior are gaining ground, particularly in the lowland cities, the old traditions are widely respected in most places. Gestures are important in Albanian social life. As well as the usual handshake, it is normal for men who are friends to greet each other with a light touch, although not a kiss, on either cheek. The famous confusion when an Albanian shakes his or her head for "yes" is common. To place the hand on the chest is to say, "thank you". To stroke the shoulder lightly means "good luck". A host will treat both local and foreign guests with a glass of raki, coffee or sweets. Generally the guests make small presents when they go to visit somebody. Smoking is permitted except where the sign " Ndalohet pirja e duhanit-No smoking" is displayed. A variety of food is available, especially fresh fruit and vegetables, which are subject to seasonal changes. Vegetables such as tomatoes, salad, carrots, green beans, cucumbers, garlic and onions are available throughout the year with seasonal variations. Fruits most widely available are: oranges, tangerines, peaches, prunes, watermelons, cantaloupe, melon, grapes, apricots, and figs. Meat (beef, pork, lamb), chicken and fish are also available. Among the kinds of fish to be mentioned are Koran, Trout, and Krap (carp). Koran is a pink-meat fish which is found exclusively in Ohrid Lake, and nowhere else in the world. There are several specialty stores and a few "Supermarkets" are available (Greek-Pallatet Agimi, Italian - Rr. Shezade - Akademia e Shkencave). The biggest market (Bazaar), for fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products is located in the center of town (Sheshi Avni Rustemi). Typical Albanian food tends to be rich and heavy. There is an oriental influence in Albanian dishes (inherited from Turks during the Ottoman rule - see page 6). Typical Albanian dishes include baked chicken or meat with patatoes or rice, Byrek (pie with different stuffing like meat, yogurt with eggs and cheese, spinach, leeks, etc), Tave Tirane (pieces of hearts, liver and kidney mixed with curd, tomato sauce, garlic, hot spices and baked in earthenware), Tave Elbasani (boiled lamb, mixed with yogurt, eggs and some rice and baked in oven). In the last two years, many more foodstuffs have become available, especially in Tirana. Prices, though, are relatively high because much is imported.
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