Skip to content

Comment on Third place

Comments

What is a "third place" for introverts who are not very keen on socializing?

I don't think there's any particular requirement to socialize when at a "third place". So if you just go sit in a cafe, coffee-shop, bar, etc., and work with your headphones on the entire time, you're still enjoying a "third place". Some people (count me in this bucket) get "something" from simply being around other people, but don't necessarily want extensive engagement with those people - at least not on an ongoing basis. Sometimes you just want to listen to the Youtube video you're listening to, or finish the code module you're working on, or whatever. :-)

Me, I like sitting in the cafe at the local Barnes & Noble. I get to enjoy coffee, books, wifi, and a pleasant ambiance. And for the most part I can regulate how much I socialize with the people around me. I say "for the most part" because I'm such a regular there that I've gotten to know a lot of the employees and other regular visitors and have formed friendships with a number of those people, to the point that sometimes when I go in there I have a lot of people coming over to chit-chat. Which is OK in that they're people I enjoy talking to, but sometimes if I'm really trying to get some specific task done, it can be a little bit frustrating and I struggle with how to disengage from them without seeming overly rude. Still, on balance, I get a lot out of hanging out there.

I'm like my cat, in that I like to be near people, but not necessarily engaging. Sitting in a coffee shop doing my own thing is really nice sometimes.

I think in the future, zuck is hoping it's the metaverse.

Currently, for me, it's been hiking trails, quiet cafes, and bookstores where I can be in public, but generally avoid large crowds and if there are interactions they're most likely one on one.

I don't think it's really changed. There have always been introverts. So: "churches, cafes, clubs, public libraries, gyms, bookstores, stoops and parks", to name just a few. The difference is that there's a new third place called the internet that has replaced those for a lot of people, with many negative consequences and a few positive ones.

Obviously it depends on the introvert, but any quiet, casual space where the focus isn't on socializing. So for me, some places that come to mind are a climbing gym with plenty of space for lounging, makers space, a bookstore with a cafe, library, an outdoor public mall with seating and food, and maybe a dog park.

Before Discord was mainstream (2016-2018) there were some really fun public voice chats but now its 90% minge and not what it used to be. I've also met some pretty crazy people on the voice chat in Valve games and occasionally IRC. I go on SpaceHey a lot now to find new people to talk to.

A makerspace

Libraries

Online forums, libraries, bookstores.

Online forums

In terms of "virtual third places" I'd probably say that HN is that for me. :-) I'm guessing I wouldn't be alone in that regard...

Mine is parks, and nature generally

AboutSource Built by g1lg1l

Hackerly is an independent reader for Hacker News, built on the public HN API. Not affiliated with Y Combinator.