What is a Third Place?
| Adapted from https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/third-places-true-citizen-spaces The third place is not home and not work, but instead one of the physical settings that have throughout history encouraged a sense of warmth, conviviality, and that special kind of human sustenance we call community. These settings include cafés, taverns, libraries and hair salons, where people from different walks of life gather to hang out in an informal atmosphere. This simple concept reminds us that human connections need nurturing and that community depends on such simple things as a few tables, a friendly host and a willingness to see what happens when we get together face-to-face. The notion of a “third place” reminds us that human connections need nurturing, and they are typically a watering hole of one sort or another with conversation the main activity. The general rule is that beverages are of such importance as to become veritable social sacraments. Indeed, the majority of the world’s third places have drawn their identity from the beverages they have served. There are or have been ale houses, tea houses, soda fountains, wine bars and milk bars, Biergärten in Germany, gin palaces in England, 3.2 joints in the United States. The Czech kavama, the German kaffeeklatsch, the French café – all derive from the respective words for coffee. Embryo of democracy Coffee houses began in the Middle East, and their heyday as a third place was in England during the 17th century. Coffee was considered dangerous when it was first introduced in Europe as coffee houses became the preferred location for political debate. The democratic atmosphere of the coffee house, its equally democratic prices, and the pleasant contrast it offered to the drunkenness that plagued the inns and taverns of the 17th century brought it quick popularity. As places of free speech allowing a certain level of equality, coffee houses can be seen as the precursors of democracy. New perspectives The need for such a society can hardly be said to have disappeared. While vibrant third places have become rare, it is possible to identify factors that help them survive and thrive. Atmosphere matters, and so does location and outlook. It’s time to reinvigorate the third place for discussion, debate, camaraderie and laughter. We need to see our friends and neighbours and to be around people we don’t know. The third place is at the centre of our search for a better way to live. At UUSRF, the coffee pot is always on. |
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