AIBU to think Albanians have a bad reputation

[kukeslala]

and why?

Irritatinginfinity - haven't read the book, but I loved the film. I need to go and add it to my lovefilm list.

Chime

Normal to have a gun at home in Albania or when an Albanian is in a different country? Currently?
Which part is your husband from, didn't know if there was a cultural difference, even within the Country.

All my husbands family had a gun in Albania many years ago, but there was a gun amenisty (something like that and he's not hear to ask) and they all handed them in.
His Mum was taught to clean the gun and shoot under the Communism, she even had her own.

Not one of his immediate family have a gun in their home.

Since I have been with him and going there they haven't had guns. That said he did say it would be easiest enough to get hold of one if he wanted.

Just goes to show Chime
To completely different experiences from within the same country, which was kind of the point of my post.
Just spoke to my husband and his experience is now there is a minority that keep a gun at home, but most people would for the right price be able to get hold of one.

I'm kind of surprised more people haven't heard negative stereotypes, especially if you live in London.

I used to live in an Albanian neighbourhood and I used to get comments on it all the time.

chime
also my husbands Sister left her husband due to DA from him,and his mother she is remarried now and there was no revenge sought on her or her family.

Are you talking about attitudes in your experience from years ago or current?

never heard anyone commenting on Albanians. Have never met an Albanian personally to my knowledge, so I don't have any opinion on them.

My parents live in an Albanian speaking country and its not Macedonia
My impressions is that in government of all levels there is an enormous amount of corruption. The mafia is no joke and pretty scary (didn't even dare look at their hummers driving around)
But that day to day the people are lovely, interesting and generous. I suspect it's very similar in Albania

Oh and a lot of people have guns though they are trying to cut them down as too many accidents are happening. People being shot at weddings during 'salutes' accidentally.
Both countries are in the top five poorest countries in Europe which always brings with it it's own problems

Dreaming
I was surprised at that post also, as I have heard lots in London, but was thinking its because I was being sensitive. I was then reassured by that posters post.

Do you hear negative stereotypes from all non English nationalities though? or do some come up more than others?

Gibber
Have you just given yourself away? Kosovo?
If it is have you ever been, that's where my husbands sister has just moved, we are hoping to go this summer.

Lots of drug smuggling via Albania. Have heard from husband (not involved with drugs) that the country is beautiful. That's all I know!

Yes Kosova
I've been several times. A beautiful place if still somewhat battered. Took my children last time for an experience.
My parent are moving back soon so doubt I'll go back, maybe one day or maybe to one of the other countries in the area. Montenegro looks nice

I do think, in London anyway, some nationalities get a harder time than others. Never heard anyone say anything bad about Hungarians, or Paraguayans, for example.

Gibber
one of my best friends owns a property in Montenegro, cant remember the name but its a small fishing village.
Not been myself to there but her pics look beautiful.

I've been to Kosovo but only Prishtina -- would like to go back and see the countryside!

I travelled a bit in Montenegro, the coast and the mountains are absolutely gorgeous

I actually took a night bus through Kosovo and Montenegro, I was the only woman and thinking this was not one of my better ideas, but they were all so lovely to me when they found out I was American.

It was right after Bush went to Kosovo and was so happy there was one place on the planet that liked him, and then when he was shaking hands with the crowd, somebody stole his watch! The guys on the bus were rather proud of this, which cracked me up .

Dreaming
That made me laugh hard, which then set me off on a coughing fit (bad asthma at the mo).

yes yabu ive never heard a bad thing about them.

It makes me laugh they have streets named after Blair. He did something right anyway
The mountains are gorgeous. I could live in them though would need to be hardy and self sufficient

The only time I've encountered this (negative remarks about Albanians) was when I was in Corfu. They seem to have quite a bad reputation there.

Ahhh sorry about your asthma

It was pretty hilarious

I have met a few peopke from Albania.
The most amazing blue eyes, the light seems to radiate from them.
Is that usual? They were lovely btw.

My husbands are green.
Cant say I have noticed blue eyes being usual, but not really looked either iwkwim.

We have an atrocious reputation amongst the Serbs in my mum's home country, other than that I don't think so, no.

I have Albanian family. Some of them have a certain Albanian mind set which can be quite ruthless. One is an international director of a well known multi-national company, her brother is in the Russian mafia. They would probably sell their granny for a packet of fags if the circumstances were right and are very mercenary.

The rest of the family (including, strangely, the mafioso) are some of the most loveliest, kindest, most welcoming people.

It's Hoxha's fault, he set people up as rivals to each other so they informed and with some Albanians that eat or be eaten mentality still exists.

I've heard some remarks by UKIP types about Albanians (as well as them complaining about Sri Lankans, people from Pakistan, Romania, Bulgaria, India etc; they are basically racist idiots) so I can see why it's easy to think that. Most people, thankfully, are a little less like the above mentioned people!