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Most individuals talk of the third place as an aspect of social community building. This gives a meaning that is not connected to the home environment or the workplace. These include café’s, coffee shops, playgrounds, shopping malls, bars, beauty parlors, arboretums and zoos, motels, among other social places that people attend to relax and spend time away from their normal schedule of work or home places.
According to Oldenburg (1997) in the book “Great Good Place” these third places are a haven and necessary for the continuity of life. He describes the third place as a necessary condition that completes the social status of an individual. Oldenburg describes the first place as the home where the person finds comfort and spends some considerable amount of time. The second is the workplace which is where the individual derives his daily bread and represents the place where he is most likely to spend most of his/her time.
The third-place has a significant meaning in the life of the individual and the society at large. The help identifies the individual and is the stronghold of the life of the community. It gives society an identity in that it facilitates and brings better creative social interactions. Oldenburg (20) is on the view that a certain third place may be good to one community while being unpleasant to others. He gives an example of a beer joint in middle-class America and contrasts it to a coffee shop in Viennese. The third-place also describes the virtues of the community or individuals involved.
The third-place also gives friends a common ground which is neutral for them to meet and have a perfect time. Oldenburg (24) describes the third place as a leveler which means it is a place to defy all odds and barriers between individuals and have a union that will equate all their ranks with true friendship while they are together. This third place is never restrictive; it is inclusive and open to the general public and there are no criteria used for admission or exclusions (Oldenburg 26). The author explains that most of the third places must have rules, and outlines the rules which he describes as; keeping silent while others talk, attention, being free in talking what is in the mind and not hurting others, avoiding topics that are not related to general interest, keep secrets of personal details, don’t be subjective in speech, and maintaining a low tone in speech but be audible.
Games may be integrated with the third place and some come in handy. Such games are those that will use wits, humor, sarcasm, logic, and experimental demonstrations. The game should be simple and understandable and the spectators should also enjoy it, it should be all-inclusive taking into consideration gender and physical skills, such games include pool tables and round songs among others.
The third place should be accessible and accommodative. It should be where the individual can go at any time and with ease, having an assurance of acquaintance. These places are made enjoyable when there is the usual presence of regular visitors. Indeed, one feels comfortable and in place since everyone around is familiar to him/her. However, when there is a presence of newcomers then they may be brought by the regulars who will initially be introduced to the third place. Any lone stranger wishing to join the third place is required to build trust among the friends so that he/she is enrolled.
The third place is a home for a way from home. It makes the individual feel free and comfortable just like when he/she is at home. He/she has a sense of enjoyment, warmth, and a sense of true friendship.
Oldenburg summarizes the chapter on third places by asserting the importance that they play socially and in conservation. He says that a third-place upholds human personality and individuality. One major problem associated with third places is that they tend to be taken for granted when people have a low profile. In addition, they are said to be open at off-hours when individuals should be spending time with their families. They are also said to be addictive and some can make people forsake their jobs just to be with their friends.
An example is when people spend time at local joints having drinks till late at night. They may give up time for the family and even get involved in drugs introduced to them by friends, or even join undesired cults. Moreover, this may make the persons have a psychological comfort (from that joint) rather than finding real peace in their real homes. This is common in many areas since pubs and bars host most friendship meetings. Regrettably, some people end up being drunkards/alcoholics due to such associations; some even forget and neglect their responsibilities for the sake of the third place.
Third places as described by Oldenburg are universal and all areas do have them. The only thing that makes them vary is the culture, practices, and principles that the individuals have. Third places have a good responsibility in the social part of the individual and it is very essential to break the monotony of the first and second places. It is thus clear that third places are great good places; however, the only part that should be checked is the difficult part where the third place can have a negative influence. Life should be experienced specialists and the third place can bring this special feeling.
Work Cited
Oldenburg, Ray. “The Character of Third Places” The Great Good Place. New York: Marlow and Co. 1997. Web.
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