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In sociology, the third place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). Examples of third places include churches, cafes, bars, clubs, community centres, public libraries, gyms, bookstores, makerspaces, stoops, parks, theaters, and opera houses, among others. In his book The Great Good Place(1989), Ray Oldenburg argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement and establishing feelings of a sense of place.

Historical Examples

The term "third place" itself was first established in the book The Great Good Place(1989), written by the sociologist Ray Oldenburg, such locales of this type have been identified throughout human history.

Ancient Greek Agora

The Ancient Agora of Athens

Ancient Greeks and their agora, or public squares, are among some of the first well-documented communal spaces that could be considered a "third place". They served as marketplaces to exchange goods and currency, or engage in political debate. These gatherings would host people from all walks of life: political figures, poets, philosophers, and common folk, subsets of people that wouldn't have otherwise interacted as part of their daily routine . Modern evolutions and derivations of the agora have remained prevalent in many subsequent civilizations. The term agoraphobia, or fear of open public spaces, originates from this grecian meeting spot .

Feudal China's Teahouses

Being defined as a separate physical sphere from one's home or place of work, another early example would be that of a teahouse. Tea evolved into a functionally social drink in the ancient Jin Dynasty from the period 265-316AD. Time spent in these locations was used as a tool to show off of one's status and ability to spend money on simple luxuries. These tea houses would come to function as central meeting places and "instrumental fixture in the nucleus of provincial towns" .

A recreation of the Central Perk cafe in Burbank, CA.

The European Coffeehouse

Food and drink often have been closely associated with the idea of third places, being that they offer inciting motivation to attend, but wouldn't get in the way of conversation . Not dissimilar to tea houses, the increasing popularity of coffeehouses during England's 17th Century became societal staples for community building. According to a UNESCO article co-written by Ray Oldenburg himself, "As places of free speech allowing a certain level of equality, coffeehouses can be seen as the precursors of democracy" . Coffee was a stimulant, in contrast to the depressor that was the rampant alcohol consumption before this point in English history. Thus, these coffee houses became "a real political arena" . They were referred to as "Penny Universities" in the way that they enabled attendees to expose themselves to intellectual fervor with no financial barrier of entry .

Following into the 21st century, coffeeshops are still one of the most ubiquitous third places. These conversation hotspots have been reflecting in media as hubs of human connection and belonging, like the Central Perk coffeeshop (Friends), or similarly the Cheers bar (Cheers) .

Loss of Traditional Third Places

Recent years have been filled with increasing public concern for the loss of third places. This decline is largely attributed to the advancement of technology and the internet:

"The rise of technology has led to an increase in remote work and social media, which has made it easier for people to connect online rather than in person. Additionally, the cost of living has risen, making it more difficult for businesses to afford rent in prime locations, leading to a decline in public gathering spaces" said student Tina Murtagh in a March 2023 article.

The Covid-19 pandemic further contributed to the gradual decline in the prevalence of third places, as many of these small businesses could not afford to stay in business.

Experts worry the lack of access to such community spaces has contributed to a global increase in social anxiety, isolation, and community engagement. Dr. Narae Lee, a postdoctoral scholar explains: third places are “crucial for people to escape from a sense of loneliness and build a sense of community."

Robert Putnam addressed issues related to third place, but without using the term, in Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital(1995, 2000).

References

https://civicsforlife.org/what-is-the-history-of-the-public-square/