28 MARCH 1992, Page 29

Albanian sense of humour

Sir: You wonder (Diary, 21 March) what would make an Albanian laugh.

A friend of mine, the late Eric Lister of the Portal Gallery, visited Albania long before it was fashionable, easy or wise to do so. To gain entry to the country he had to attend regular meetings of the Friends of Albania Society in London, a joke in itself.

Eric was a great traveller and raconteur and amused his hosts greatly. Before he left Albania they offered to tell him the only known Albanian joke.

Q. Why do Yugoslav men wear mous- taches?

A. So they look like their mothers.

Giles Auty

14 Riverbank, East Molesey, Surrey