We spend most of our lives at work or home, but what do you do when you need a third place โ somewhere you feel happy and comfortable, with friends, fun, and no judgment?
With a wave of loneliness sweeping the world, so many of us are missing out on a vital space of belonging and expression. Is having a third place the key to reviving human connection? Do we really need a third place and, if so, how do we go about finding one? It describes a place outside your home or work where you can relax and hang out. Your first place is your home, a private and domestic space. Your second place is your work, a structured social experience and where you likely spend most of your time.
Your third place is somewhere you can connect with others, share your thoughts and dreams, and have fun. A third place is an anchor of the community and usually a public setting that hosts frequent and informal gatherings of people. Most people are loyal to their place and return regularly to unwind and socialize. Your hangout spot could take the form of a coffee house, pub or bar, book club, beauty salon, local library, or the dog park โ anywhere that builds community and shares the following common attributes.
Oldenburg defines eight characteristics for a third place, so look for these when choosing your next hangout. People are there because they want to be there. They are free to come and go as they please with no consequence. This is a refreshing reprieve from your first and second places, which are often structured and require a time commitment.
A third place accepts people from all walks of life. Without a social hierarchy, a sense of commonality thrives among its people. Playful conversation is the main activity in a third place.
