I just got back from a coffee* with a gal I mentor on a monthly basis and we met today in particular because it is her 31st birthday. She ordered an ice cream sundae and I ordered tea.
When the waiter came and asked us to pay, I reached for my purse, fully expecting the privilege of treating J on her birthday. But J insisted that she pay, because Albanian traditions mandate that the person whose birthday it is treats others to the meal or party. (Guess we should have gone out for a big lunch, right?!). In fact, J has invited some friends to go bowling in the evening and I asked her whether she would treat them to bowling, she said “Yes” as she had been planning to do so. She did say she would let them treat her to a drink if they so desired.
As Americans we usually “throw” a party for someone on their birthday, whereas if an Albanian wants to celebrate her birthday, she will plan the party and cover all of the expenses.
Another tidbit to know about Albanian birthdays is that birthdays ending in “5″ or “0″ are especially significant and most often celebrated with an organized party or get-together, i.e.: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years, etc. Birthdays falling in-between those years may or may not be celebrated by the individual, depending on their preferences or perhaps even their ‘wallet’.
Happy Birthday J, and thanks for the tea!
*Note: we use “coffee” to express any get together over drinks– here in Albania it usually is coffee that we drink when meeting together, but it could be anything. Going out for a coffee is another way of saying “getting together with a friend”.
Photo courtesy of: Michal Zacharzewski
