In Understanding Third Places and their importance, the attached overview draws on Wikipedia and our own experiences.
Never heard the term ? Please read on.
Ray Oldenburg is an ‘urban sociologist’ studying informal places and gathering places.
He coined the term ‘third place’ and has authored books on the subject (Celebrating the Third Place, and The Great Good Place) receiving the New York Times Editors Choice for ‘The Great Good Place’ in 1989.
He talks about one’s first place being the ‘home’, the second as the workplace. (office/home etc) Perhaps we spend most of our time in these environments but it is often our third place that excites us most.
Our ‘Third Place’ becomes our Community, places that foster broader and more creative engagements.
Your ‘Third Place’ is your happy place where you are able to relax in Public.
It is filled with familiar faces, new faces and acquaintances. It attracts all walks of life & Events.
Third Places can be anywhere; a place where you meet people be, coffee shop / Barber / school gate / the local park / a Club / a Bar, walking the Dog / exercising with a Friend, kicking a footy, shooting hoops …….
There is banter, jokes, information, ideas, local news, gossip, football talk, noise, laughter, maybe some Politics / Religion whatever, and every other subject in between. It can be different things to different people.
You seek other people’s advice, meet, discuss … what’s happening with the kids / school / work, and share quality time as a diversion to all the other things happening in your life. It can promote deep and fulfilling relationships. ‘We don’t’ judge those people, their race, religion, colour or beliefs, share and experience ‘lifes’ highs and lows. It also encourages families to share time together, promote Responsibility, Values, and enables development for extended family and support.
We are all sharing this ‘Friendship’ place, today, tomorrow, next week or forever … perhaps Friends have created informal / formal rules as to how people should behave, a set of values that encourages order and respect. It may well mean upholding those values to make it a safe place.
That passion then allows close Communities to thrive. In a Dog Park or Reserve you have that time and opportunity to create deep relationships. We love Puppies, Babies and Children. Our Reserve (MAR) has become our ‘Village’, it is a unique environment, the Culture is now self-generating, inviting and dynamic.
“MAR is now the centre of positive experiences for us all, and evolved to becoming a Community precinct”.
For the purposes of a formal explanation, Scholars have summarized Oldenburg’s view of a ‘third place’ with eight characteristics which once again can be found under ‘Third Places’ in Wikipedia.
Neutral ground
Occupants of third places have little to no obligation to be there. They are not tied down to the area financially, politically, legally, or otherwise and are free to come and go as they please.
Leveler (a leveling place)
Third places put no importance on an individual’s status in a society. Someone’s economic or social status does not matter in a third place, allowing for a sense of commonality among its occupants. There are no prerequisites or requirements that would prevent acceptance or participation in the third place.
Conversation is the main activity
Playful and happy conversation is the main focus of activity in third places, although it is not required to be the only activity. The tone of conversation is usually light-hearted and humorous; wit and good-natured playfulness are highly valued.
Accessibility and accommodation
Third places must be open and readily accessible to those who occupy them. They must also be accommodating, meaning they provide for the wants of their inhabitants, and all occupants feel their needs have been fulfilled.
The regulars
Third places harbour a number of regulars that help give the space its tone, and help set the mood and characteristics of the area. Regulars to third places also attract newcomers, and are there to help someone new to the space feel welcome and accommodated.
A low profile
Third places are characteristically wholesome. The inside of a third place is without extravagance or grandiosity, and has a homely feel. Third places are never snobby or pretentious, and are accepting of all types of individuals, from various different walks of life.
The mood is playful
The tone of conversation in third places is never marked with tension or hostility. Instead, third places have a playful nature, where witty conversation and frivolous banter are not only common, but highly valued.
A home away from home
Occupants of third places will often have the same feelings of warmth, possession, and belonging as they would in their own homes. They feel a piece of themselves is rooted in the space, and gain spiritual regeneration by spending time there.
