Sociability in a leisure realm

This paper explores the nature of social interactions in the leisure-induced social realm through the study of leisure visitors at a hill destination in Nepal. It applies qualitative methodology and data was collected through two sources: field observation and interviews. The findings suggest that social interaction in the leisure trip was facilitated by the duality of the interplay between sociability and individualisation, that is, alternating between personal openness and rational self-presentation. The study suggested that interaction in leisure settings is informed by social structure, but people also apply their individual agency. The study provides some useful insights into the nature of society emerging in the leisure-induced social sphere of the global South.