Third place - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org

cross-posted from: https://piefed.ca/c/newbrunswick@lemmy.ca/p/981650/third-places

Any recommendations for free or inexpensive place?

Places I can think of:

Coffee shops

Breweries and pubs

Libraries

Parks

Small scale music concerts

Axe throwing

Malls

University campuses

  • JarmeEnglish
    15·
    4 days ago

    Indeed, as long as it fits this

    One criteria for a third place, according to Jeffres et al. (2009), is that it “offers stress relief from the everyday demands of both home and work. It provides the feeling of inclusiveness and belonging associated with participating in a group’s social activities, without the rigidity of policy or exclusiveness of club or organization membership”.

    • Fleppensteyn@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      5·
      4 days ago

      In that case, I wouldn’t know really. Drinking a coffee or a beer or something doesn’t really make me feel “inclusiveness and belonging associated with participating in a group’s social activities” — you’re still alone, even if surround by others

      • JarmeEnglish
        3·
        4 days ago

        I see what you mean, but depending on the context, having drink alone can lead to unexpected social interactions.

        I guess it’s also a place where you can meet a friend(s) without the expectations that exist at work and at home. Lacking those places means lacking a space for social activities. What do you think ?

        • Fleppensteyn@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          4·
          4 days ago

          I used to drink alone a lot but that didn’t lead to social interactions. I think it’s a cultural thing, in most of Europe people wouldn’t interact with strangers while there are other countries where you make friend by simply walking on the street

          • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
            2·
            4 days ago

            I’m often on business trips and had nice talks with different kinds of people, when I was sitting at a bar alone

            Depends on the country, but e.g. Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Austria…

            Norway was a bit isolating though

            • Fleppensteyn@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              2·
              4 days ago

              I once met a bunch of people in a bar in Australia when traveling with another Dutch guy who also said “this would never happen in the Netherlands”, validating it’s not just me.

              Whereas Portuguese people would grab me off the street to invite me to join them.

              So I guess I’m confused why you’d group Netherlands with more friendly and hospitable counties.

              • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
                2·
                4 days ago

                Really?

                I had a customer in the Netherlands for years and was there on vacations as well
                I’m always needing to adjust, because I find them so open and friendly

                At least with Portugal we had the same experience :⁠-⁠)

                France is quite hit or miss.
                In my experience it’s either one of the friendliest person I’ve ever met or a real asshole.
                Seemingly nothing in between.

                But maybe it’s just relative to the culture we’re coming from…

                I’m from Austria and met some Afghans at a paintball tournament.
                They showed me pictures of them afterwards, where they were standing in the desert with AKs, because of the war.
                They had a real problem at first in Austria, because after a beer or two, it could be that they hug you while talking, whereas in their home region eye contact alone was enough to start a fight.

                • Fleppensteyn@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  2·
                  4 days ago

                  Speaking of France… I thought I’d have some drinks with a French friend there and I made a comment about how many people she spoke to. She thought that’s normal, because why would you go to a bar otherwise? “Well, to get drunk?” She thought that was strange.

                  I suppose people traveling are always a little different though. I’ve traveled a lot and from Dutch people I always hear “I don’t travel to meet other Dutch people”

                  • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
                    2·
                    4 days ago

                    Well, to be fair, I also don’t travel to meet other Austrians

                    There was actually one exception though.
                    On one island of Cap Verde is an Austrian guy who made the best Rum there.
                    Had to hike to the distillery for like 2h up a little mountain.

                    Sadly can’t remember the name anymore…

                    But regarding your french friend, I’m with her. I can get drunk more cheap alone at home.
                    Visiting bars means to have other people around.
                    Sometimes those are just silent drink buddies, with which you drink in silence.
                    But usually some discussion about whatever comes up

    • TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      4 days ago

      the problem wtih this is human beings eventually move towards rigidity of policy or exclusiveness.

      i ran a third space for years. the issue was… everyone kept pushing us to become more rigid and exclusive.

      people do not like open spaces, as in anyone can participate. they want barriers to entry and they want the space to affirm them and they don’t want to be around diverse people who might challenge those affirmations.