Greetings are one of the first lessons everyone trying to learn Albanian should learn because courtesy is of such importance. Respect is the best gift you can give when meeting an Albanian or Kosovar and is also the best way to present yourself as someone worthy of respect too.
Spending time with people from Kosovo either in their country or with the ones working abroad (diaspora), one of the first things you will notice and get used to is the way in which they greet each other. Usually it is expected that you first adress the man of the family, then the oldest women whether it is his mother or his wife.
Generally you shake hands and ask about the family, the kids and work (or any other projects that person, typically the man, might have in progress). Then comes the formula “ty vet” which basically means “what about you” which is oriented directly to that person and is the last one to be asked. Usually this questions are followed by “mirë” (good), which is the jolly word to learn if you are just starting to learn Albanian language.
When speaking to women it is also good to ask how is her family doing (referred to her parents which in the most cases live in another town) and about the children’s school.
This is done for every person in the room which means it may take some time, but do not worry the others are going to get on with their greetings too at the same time.
When entering a shop or a restaurant a normal greeting in Albanian is “a je i/e lodhur” (are you tired) to the staff, who usually responds with a “ka pak” (not much).
Here are some of the most common greetings as said in Kosovo