I am progressing with the Albanian language from one-word statements like hello, good, thank you, etc. to phrases: mirë pafshim (goodbye) or just pafshim (bye) and kalofshi e mirë (have a nice day). I know “thank you” is technically two words but it is expressed in one Albanian word “faleminderit.”
Most everyone speaks English, that is the trade’s people, not necessarily people on the street, though there is always someone nearby who will step in to translate. We were in the beach town of Pogradec for a three day weekend to celebrate Barry’s 77th birthday. I ordered a one-scoop-in-a-cone chocolate gelato.
The clerk didn’t speak English and had no clue what I wanted. So a little boy, maybe 8 or 9 standing next to me acted as translator. He was kind of shy about it but clearly pleased he could help. The kids are learning English in school. The other thing about this boy is he was actually next in line, but like a gentleman he motioned for me to go ahead of him. I don’t know if it was because I was a woman or because I am an “elderly” woman. In any case, his mama is raising him right!
The Albanian people are eager to be helpful. Barry and I were at one of our four neighborhood coffee shops. Barry ordered an American coffee and I ordered a hot chocolate. (No coffee for me I am allergic to caffeine.) The waiter didn’t understand what I wanted so a gentleman at a nearby table jumped up and happily interpreted for us.
By the way we just learned that Albania has the largest coffee culture in the world. According to Wikipedia Albania has more coffee shops per capita than any other country!