Social Life in Albania
Behavior
Most of the behavioral rules and restrictions in Albania are based on Islam, but more recent cultural history has altered many of these cultural aspects so today how the people of Albania behave is a combination of European and Islamic in origin.
As a visitor to Albania just try to follow the lead of the locals by dressing in alike manner (see below for details), dining in the local etiquette (see our Albania Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being loud, rude, or showing off wealth.
Dress
The traditional clothing in Albania is no longer worn on a regular basis. For men the most traditional clothing was the fustanella, which is a white skirt, a shirt with loose-fitting sleeves, and a vest, which can be in a number of different colors. For women the most traditional piece of clothing was the xhubleta, which is a long-sleeved, loose-fitting, layered dress that goes just past the knees. These dresses were traditionally black, but often included decorations in numerous colors, including reds and white. They also often included a vest, a hair covering, and an apron or a sash that went around the waist.