Sociologist Ray Oldenburg, in his book The Great Good Place, argues that in addition to our home (first place) or workplace (second place), is "the third place" -- a social space where community building can occur. While historically, a tavern or church might have been third places -- free or inexpensive, affordable food & drink, regular patrons -- today scholars look to the coffee shop (which have actually been around since the Enlightenment and encouraged the transfer of information [conversations and newspapers] and political thought). Starbucks has even been promoting itself as a third place in their marketing. Oldenburg argues that these social spaces are important for civil society and democracy.
Do you find your local coffee shop/cafe to be an important social space for you? Why/why not?
I dont see my local coffee shop as a social place. Its not a popular place to hang out with frends, the only time I go to the coffee shop is, well to go get coffee thats all I dont think of it as a very social place.
ReplyDeleteI have worked for Starbucks for four years and am well aware of the idea that coffee shops have become a "third place" or as I say "third home". There is a comfort that most (not all) coffee shops offer. A sense of togetherness, even if we are all studying, reading the paper or meeting with friends. To me it's a classy place to escape to other than a bar. As a barista, I would see the same individuals come in everyday, because that was their "third place". These people looked forward to seeing the baristas and striking a conversation. It's a comfortable with couches and chairs. For me, my local coffee shop is my third place. Even if im traveling or moved to a new place, that feeling still remains.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how 2 people can see it so differently! 1) do you think the role of feeling part of a community is part of a "third place"? 2) what is the role of the barista?
ReplyDeletei think begin part of the community is part of a third place. your third place is somewhere you can call home and not beging home. where you feel comfortable and you can be yourself as if you were at your house.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the role of food is in a "third place"
ReplyDeleteI don't see my local coffee shop as a social place for me personally. When I was in school for my BA, our school had a Starbucks. For many people, it was a "third home" as ak811807 referred, but it just wasn't my swagger.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the role of food in this "third place", I feel there is a place for it. I don't feel it is a place for a hearty meal, but rather a place to get something small in order to curb your hunger.
In my opinion, I like to have a place that can offer me a little animosity. Its nice to be able to sit and read or work without feeling obligated to talk to everyone you know. On the other hand, that "Cheers" feeling, where everybody knows your name, is comforting. You can talk to people who, by definition, have something in common with you since they chose to eat at the same place as you have. The trick if finding this place, Starbucks can be too busy and loud, depending on where you are and sometimes, there are very few options. Having worked in a Diner, many people called it their Third Place, but a lot of other people wouldn't step foot in a Diner as a Third Place.
ReplyDeleteBack home in India I used to go to this place called Barista Creme. It was very homely, warm and friendly. The walls were a sponge peach and there were big comfy couches. They offered board games to play while sipping on my favorite swiss hot chocolate with a splash of mint. The staff loved me and I went there at least 2 or 3 times a week. Barista was a place where all my friends would come and gather, we would hang out and have fun. It was my "third place".
ReplyDeleteI don't find my local coffee shop to be of any importance. Its over priced and poor quality coffee. It has nothing to offer. The people found in this place were the tired businessmen on their way to work at 7 am or the stereotypical failed author writing their next work. I found more joy leaving this place then i did laughing at the cheery peppy 16-19 year olds that worked in it. I would never call this coffee shop my third place.
ReplyDeleteMy third place would definitely have to be back in Puerto Rico on a near by island called Culebra. Its a really nice and small island with crystal clear warm water. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet skiing. I used to go with a big group of friends we'd each take our own jet skis and go to a few of the smaller islands near by but we would always end up going to our own secret spot on Culebra.We used to do that a few times a month and just spend the entire day out there.
ReplyDeleteWHEN I GOT STATIONED IN SAN DIEGO... I WAS IN MY LOCAL COFFEE HOUSE EVERYDAY.... IT WAS CLASS, EAT, WORK OUT PLAY BASKETBALL, THEN AT 9PM I WAS AT THE COFFEE HOUSE... CHECKING EMAIL, HANGING WITH THE REGULARS. THE WORKERS GET TO KNOW YA NAME AND DRINK. IT WAS A GREAT GET AWAY SINCE I LIVED ON THE BASE.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree with Oldenburg. The concept of a third place, a local coffee shop that plays an essential role in my life, exists. I am not sure whether or not it is because I enjoy coffee and tea immensely, but finding a local café where I can drink, study, and relax is very important to me. Here, at the CIA my third place is Apple Pie, when I lived in Boston it was Café Fixe, and back home in Puerto Rico it’s a local bakery called Kasalta. These places have provided me a location to be by myself, but also to enjoy the company of my friends. Having a third place allows you to spark conversation with strangers and even become friendly with the staff.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with the viewpoint of Oldenburg. The local coffeehouse, whether it is local to one's home or the hangout of the locals in a certain area, is a place of reviving and discussion. In most of the coffee establishments that i have been in, I have witnessed people demanding their "gas" for the day and people just their to socialize in their mutual "third place."
ReplyDeleteMy "third place" is the bar/restaurant, Malone's, where my coworkers, friends, and I would meet after finishing our long days at work to relax, vent our anger, and talk food.
I agree with the idea that we all have "A third place". To narrow it down to such places as coffee shops etc. was a bit of a stretch because I know for many, they go there to simply get coffee and leave. I know for me, there were two coffee shops I frequented in my hometown. Each had a different vibe, and would fulfill something different for me. The first was an on campus spot, which was much more focused on studying and providing caffeine for students to stay awake while doing so. However, the second coffee shop I went to often was more of a weekend hangout. My friends/family and I turned it into our “third place”. They would have slam poetry, bands, and art shows. It was a different atmosphere but a safe place to socialize and be with friends without spending a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteWith that all said, the reason I think the later was a third place for me, was because of everything it provided. It allowed for free thinking and chatting. It wasn't a third place because it was a coffee shop. I think a third place is a location you chose that you’re comfortable in and that allows expression. To me, and this is strictly personal, Starbucks would never be close to a third place for me. They are all the same, very cookie cutterish, and for me I don't feel relaxed. It seems to be more of a machine that simply provides drinks. They don't (or at least didn't for a long time) have free wifi and that’s another big drawing point for a “third place”. It just never seemed welcoming to me, but I do know people who congregate there. It is all personal preference, and more than anything a place where your friends are comfortable too.
If I had a quality coffee shop in my area, it would be an important social space because I would actually spend time there. The problem is that my options are Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts. Starbucks feels very fake; everything from the fake Italian drink names to the extreme price of their product bothers me. Not to mention that their coffee is not even that good.
ReplyDeleteDunkin' Donuts feels too institutional. I feel as if my coffee is being made via an assembly line, overseen by robots. I like their coffee more than Starbucks, but the atmosphere is not comforting. It is too bright from the florescent lighting, and the chairs and tables are uncomfortable and often dirty.
I wish I had a coffee shop to go to that served good coffee, had comfortable chairs, and didn't charge an absurd amount of money. Then, and only then, could it become my third space
--Joel Eisenberg
to me a coffee shop is only a social place when big time VP's of fourtune 500 companys talk over their expense reports as they sip their iced coffee. other than the people using up all the free wifi...its not very social at all... 827021 d. ware
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