THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 16, 1996 TAG: 9609160099
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 38 lines
What's a ``Third Place?''
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg defines it as the third realm of experience in society, the first two being home and work.
Third Places serve as community gathering points where people can meet informally, mostly for the joy of conversation. That makes them basic building blocks for strong communities, Oldenburg says.
Some traditional Third Places include cafes, coffee houses, community centers, taverns, public benches on sidewalks, beauty parlors, barber shops and general stores.
The best Third Places share certain ingredients, in Oldenburg's view.
They include:
Being a neutral ground where people feel comfortable about coming, going and striking up conversations.
Being open and accessible to the general public. They tend to be inclusive of citizens who are willing to be regulars. There are no formal criteria for membership. Social status does not matter.
Conditions should be conducive to talking. For example, there are few, if any, distractions such as loud music, televisions or computer games.
They are convenient to neighborhoods, often by walking or taking a short drive.
There is a sense of warmth, familiarity and playfulness, often engendered by the regulars themselves. Regulars often refer to Third Places as a home away from home.
Third Places occur in cultures around the world.
Examples include the English pub, German bierstube, Italian taberna and French cafe. by CNB