While your ‘first place’ is your home and your ‘second place’ is your place of work, the ‘third place’ is your chosen haven and go-to social spot. People need third places for themselves and their sense of community.
These social hubs aren’t known for being the most productive. Yet, they are vital places that relieve daily stresses. Thankfully ‘third places’ are making a quiet come-back. Read on to get to the heart of a third place, why they’re needed, and how to adequately choose one.
What Is a Third Place?
A third place is the ‘home away from home’ and a communal gathering spot of your choosing. In 1989, sociologist Ray Oldenburg published ‘The Great Good Place’ and he explores the idea of the ‘third place’. The idea is that a ‘third place’ is a community hub and place to hang out and be restful.
The essential foundations of the ‘third place’ are:
- Neutral ground
- A leveling place (where everyone is on an equal playing field, regardless of status or occupation)
- A home away from home
- Conversation as the main activity
- A playful mood
- A low profile
- Accessibility
- Regular visitors
A third place is somewhere that encourages connection and restores familiarity/bonds. Third places might be society’s answer to chronic loneliness. Millennials and Gen Z, often work from home and conflate their boundaries. They confuse their first and second places, and may need the concept of a third place to bring balance to their lives. Finding a third places in your city or local area could be just what you need to add vitality into your life.
Some Examples of Third Places
Not sure where to look for cool third places near you? Thankfully, there’s a multitude of options. Here are a few examples to be on the look-out for:
- Parks
- Coffee shops
- Book stores
- Libraries
- Areas with free Wi-Fi
- Pools
- Gyms
- Volunteering centers or groups
- Bars
- Yoga studios
- Hair salons/Barbershops
- Churches/ religious gathering space
These typical examples are usually easy to spot. But depending on your neighborhood’s needs, others
How to Find Your Perfect Third Place
Choosing somewhere close to your home or work may be a good idea. Whether you live in a bustling city or a small town, the likelihood of finding a third place might be easier than you think. Knowing what you’re looking for is the first step. An ideal third place is somewhere you have fun, build connections, and feel comfortable. Though third places are disappearing and becoming less prominent than in previous generations, there are still efforts to revive this tradition.
Finding your perfect third place may also be about getting involved in preserving or supporting smaller local spaces. The trick is to choose a third place that aligns with your social style. Are you feeling chatty and in a party mood? You could hoose a bar that appeals to your interests. Are you looking for a social environment where you can still focus? A coffee shop or a bookstore might be best. Also, it’s worth thinking about where you feel comfortable, such as in communities that are alcohol-free, women-only, or POC-only, etc.
Following the pandemic, it’s no surprise that more digital alternatives exist. Digital spaces allow for more accessibility for those who are are not able-bodied, living away from their chosen communities, or immunocompromised.
‘Third places’ are precious spaces for those who want personal connections and a chance to learn about their community.