Introduction
The character of the third party is a comparative study and view of the commonness of essential societal features despite the differences of time and culture during the encounters of study. A few of the varied areas that are talked of are the Arabian; German; American; Italian and the Ghetto third places that are symbols of the different cultural societies. However, the eternal sameness of the third party seems unchanged or affected by the different outward looks; cultural attitudes, and informal behavior seen in the members within the different societies. The third place is the dominant need to fit into human communion and is seen not to vary according to the different societal virtues and standards. However, it’s arguable that in the current societies the third-place phenomena have been ignored, although activities taking its form are common figures in the community. This is the case because the third place seems easily ignorable though forming the people’s solution to alienation, stress, and loneliness as these are the places where folks are themselves to the best and the community is mainly lively. Only a few persons have taken attention to the core importance of the third-place including Joseph Wechsberg and Joseph Addison a Great Essayist. These individuals pointed out that these places are free from the stresses of family life; annoying environments; workplace pressure and instead offer the tranquility of mind. (Oldenburg 20-42)
Main Discussion
However these individuals failed to focus on the knowledge; experiences and relationships that can only be built in the third place, despite the prejudices of modes of life and morals that portray third places negatively. According to studies on city life, it was conclusive that the city is filled with people to whom contact is useful, significant, and enjoyable; but who do not access it due to their restricted private lives and therefore have both the city and their lives stultified. This, therefore, creates the need for a neutral ground where individuals gather freely; feel at home and comfortable which in turn helps strengthen associations outside the home; relate informally even on intimate levels that could not be entertained at home. However, this may be against the ideas of social reformers who discourage the hang around of individuals and groups in public places that help build an intimate-social fashion that is important in developing the unity of cities, neighborhoods, and societies in general. In addition, fraternity if given due importance like independence and democracy; would give an assurance to the death of isolation facing current residential areas. (Oldenburg 20-42)
The third places also act as levelers just like democracy; as it helps clear the differences of position, rank, and feudal order that exist in ordinary places. This is the case because these places are accessible to the general public, and does not impose formal criterion on exclusion and belonging. Third places can also be argued to expand levels of opportunities and possibilities; emphasizing qualities and not a restriction on status distinctions. It is a place where the emphasis is given to the appeal and flavor of an individual’s character rather than the location in life economically; academically and socially. The third-place also creates access to people and groups an individual enjoys being around rather than the ones placed close by the forces of community that include work and family. It also allows for individuals to know one another better in a “pure sociability” environment where the only purpose is to socialize and relax through neglecting their problems; moodiness; personal worries, fears, and temper.
The third places through the cultivation of an exciting environment; unlimited association and unconditional appreciation of different groups; help the individual in personal development socially and mentally, therefore, increasing their sense of importance and self-esteem. (Oldenburg 20-42)
Third places also provide environments where conversations rather than drinking from the chief activity; and the talk involved is lively, good, scintillating, entertaining, engaging, and colorful. An example of cities that provides the best of such third places is Paris that is credited for being a city of conversations and cafes that came along with the increased power and genius of the French nation due to the sharing and exchange of ideas. This is the case because these places bring together a thousand different people; a thousand brains; a thousand conversations; lively questioning relations; jokes; news; problems; varied language, ideas, and language use, then vibrant curiosity that enhances the development of new ideas and solutions to the problem. In addition, there is the need for an environment that is friendly and calm to encourage the development of conversations; and in return, the third places that don’t provide these conditions face the threat of losing out. Another fact about conversations that leads to their dominance in third places is the fact that they blend in like a game that is played along with and mixes with other games according to how these games are played. (Oldenburg 20-42)
Third places are also areas of enhanced accessibility and accommodation where an individual receives the best of service at any time of the day despite being alone; in a group or seeking acquaintances. These places are defined as locations where community life exists; keep open for long hours; activities taking place are unplanned or unstructured and are localized in terms of physical accessibility. Third places also have to house the right people to attract customers. These are the sociable lively people that make these places fun to be at. These regulars also lay the role of socializing newcomers to become part of the crowd and enjoy being part of the group. This is the case because the group constitutes different people of different social groups and levels, therefore, promising homogeneity and harmony. (Oldenburg 20-42)
However third places also display a characteristic low profile in terms of the outward look; as they do not possess that shiny dazzling appearance of enterprises like franchise establishments; fall short of modernity standards and the fact that the different classes of people go there mans that different standards of dressing and mannerisms will be evident. Another characteristic that is evident with third places is the playful mood; here conversational are not formal; every individual is a potential contributor to the fun; every topic is fun to talk about and every individual forms part of the withdrawing from the common society aspects. There is also the perpetuation of a state of mind where the different individuals going to the third place feel comfortable as if they were at home, due to the warmth that develops between the members of the third-place groups that at times lead to the formation of long-term social-economic relations. (Oldenburg 20-42)
The concept of a third-place can be seen well in modern relaxation places like localized pubs and restaurants. The concepts they possess that are common with third places include being on neutral grounds in the society; socializing the different social classes; making up conversation and dialogue centers; being accessible and accommodative and having regular members. Other concepts that are evident in the community as seen in relaxation centers include the possession of a playful mood; a low societal profile and forming a homely environment away from home.
Conclusion
In summary third places survive on unbiased grounds serving the purpose of leveling the different social groups into a state of social equality. Conversations shape the major activities and help show the appreciable differences of personality and individuality. Third places often possess a low profile and are taken for granted since they make weaker claims on general living, operate in the off hours, and have their character determined by the regular clientele. These character traits are further seen in modern time recreational centers.
Work cited
Oldenburg, Ray. “The Character of Third Places” The Great Good Place. New York: Marlow and Co. 1997: 20-42.