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
Maybe I’m confused about the concept but it sounds like anything can be a third space? National Park, shooting range, center of a roundabout, random bench by the road…
Indeed, as long as it fits this
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
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 ?
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
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
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.
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.
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”
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.
I would guess that even a chat room can be a third place.