Leisure behaviors in different cultures: The sample of Syrians

Leisure recreation activities is define as a period of time, which excluded from the time allocated for the work and other vital needs, to socialize, to take part in various recreational activities with the intent of having time. Leisure concept has gained different values in the consistently changing and improving world with the technology. Much as having different forms in each period, generally ıt has built on the concept of having fun and resting. Alternatives regarding how individuals, allocating time to themselves for recretional activity, want to spend that time have increased especially in cities but limitations such as shoestring budget, long working hours, restricted opportunities in small cities pose an obstacle. Factors like ethnic, belief and cultural differences have also impacts in the diversity of recretional activities. Ethnic identitiy is defined as a group living in a community, excluded from the majority, having common language, religion, history and culture. In Turkey many ethnic groups such as Kurd, Zaza, Assyrian, Laz, Armenia, Circassian, Georgian, Arab, Greek, Yazidi live together. Investigating of effects of demographical properties, factors accepted divine, traditional and cultural, for leisure attitudes is important required recretional activities to improve. In this study impact of cultural properties of Assyrians living in Mardin, Midyat with different ethnic identities on the leisure attitudes was investigated. 25 people taking part in the study voluntarily were negotiated and the impact of their own cultural features on the leisure attitudes was studied. According to the data obtained, the leisure attitudes of middle aged and older people is gathering around a church. They remarked that they sat and chatted in a cafe after worship, kept their traditions in bairams and religious and special days, weddings, christening. Young people under 25 said that they spent their leisure time doing shopping, coming together with their friends in cafes or surfing on social media. Middle aged people stated that they thought their leisure attitudes reflected their cultural features, however, young people under 35 signified that they didn't think their leisure attitudes reflected their cultural features. Generally they put into words that their leisure attitudes entertained them and made them happy.