BREAKING BARRIERS

What Are The Syrian People Like?

To understand the Syrian refugee crisis, it is good to understand who the Syrian people are. Syrians are a very diverse and complex people. It is difficult to generalize an entire society, especially when that society is so eclectic. However, this will explain a few norms about the Syrian people and, therefore, the many who are refugees. All information was provided by Goal Global.

They Are Hospitable

Visit any family in Syria, and no matter how little in the way of nourishment they might have at their disposal, unless one is very quick off the mark, and very insistent, food will be laid before you on a platter, with copious amounts of tea to accompany it.

One dare not even hint of a need for something, or heaven and earth will be moved to provide it. Bear in mind that these people have little or nothing for themselves.

They Are Conservative

Syrian society is very conservative, but not overbearingly so. The elderly and children are highly valued and treated accordingly, with much love and respect lavished upon them.

Good manners and a reserved attitude are expected. Leeway is allowed for the inevitable faux-pas of the guest on his or her first few visits, but after that you are expected to conform to local modes of behavior.

They are Educated

Syrian society is highly developed. As just one instance of this, the general education standards are at least equal (and in some respects superior) to those in Ireland and the UK. Children will tend to study a large amount of classical literature such as Shakespeare and the Bard (Dickens and Twain appear to be great favourites, as well).

It is noticeable too that education is not taken for granted or considered as an optional extra, like it often seems to be in other more developed countries. Education is often recognised as the only possible route out of poverty for many people.

They Are Ethnically Diverse.

While 90% of Syrians are ethnically Arab, the country is far from homogenous. Many Iraqis and Palestinians have immigrated and there are large ethnic minorities including Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Circassians, Mandeans and Turkomen. The largest are the Kurds of which there are roughly 2.5 million.