Coffeehouse Community & Culture. . .Part ??

  Roughly 300 years ago, (after migrating to Europe from Turkey, home of the very first "coffee houses" but that is a blog for another time) they were referred to as "Penny Universities" due to it being possible for the price of a cup of coffee, or a small door fee, to engage in and be privy to current, stimulating, controversial and sometimes revolutionary news and conversations, as one observer of that day penned it “The Coffee houses particularly are very commodious for a free Conversation, and for reading at an easie Rate all manner of printed News,”.  Now, in that day, society placed very strict adherence to and great importance on class and personal economic status (have things really changed much since the 18th century, hmmmm) which made these establishments a bit of a puzzler because it was quite customary, at any time, to see patrons from all levels of society intermingled together socially and interacting with each other seemingly ignoring accepted social strata and decorum.  These were the Coffee Houses of the time.
  If we skip forward a few hundred years and move this concept into modern society, author Ray Oldengerg, in his fantastic book "The Great Good Place" * utilizes the term "The Third Place" to characterize not only Coffee Houses but pubs, neighborhood corner stores, barber shops/salons, bars, social clubs....any "place" that provides and encourages a vital social atmosphere of familiarity and anonymity somewhere between the realm of the private (your home, where you live whether alone or with family) and the realm of the public (most likely your job, where you work and put in those 10 to 12 hour days).  Another way to think about the "third place" concept is to recall the TV series The Any Griffith Show.  Often you would see Andy, Aunt Bee and Opie sitting on their front porch in the early evening hours interacting together and with others as they would pass by.  Now the front porch was a realm between as I have mentioned.  It was not the realm of their private world (in their home) nor was it the realm of the public (down at the sheriff's station) but it was a comfortable, mutual "third place", another great example is Floyd's Barber Shop.  Personally I believe that we lack as a community when there is an absence of "third place".  In his book, Ray Oldenberg identifies what he believes to be 8 things that characterize a "third place".  They are (I am paraphrasing):

ArabicaDabra's Coffee House, my first third place!

1. Neutral Territory - for the cultivating of friendships and informal acquaintances that you would not necessarily feel comfortable allowing into the privacy of your personal realm, your home.
2. A Leveler - An inclusive place with no formal criteria for joining or choosing to be excluded.  As a leveler, a third place eliminates or greatly reduces the social roles that exist at home or work, so forget about playing a role, just be yourself.
3. Emphasis on Conversation **- Lively, animated conversation.  Music that is too loud and dominant will tend to discourage genuine conversation and interaction.
4. Accessibility and Accommodation - Accessible to everyone by accommodating the schedules of the patrons rather than the schedule of the place, in other words, typically open for long hours.  Some places I know of have odd or inconvenient hours which very much discourage third place.
5. Regulars - Someone once asked me "Dave, how many customers do you know by name?" and honestly I couldn't put a number to it because I just knew them and sincerely appreciated each one.  I love the regulars, they give life, vigor and character to a third place.  
6. Low Profile - As opposed to the high-profile, over commercialized look at me establishment.  Very often, third places are older structures that have been re-vitalized from a previous purpose.
7. A Spirited or Playful Mood - There may be times of seriousness but they do not tend to be the dominant mood.
8. A Home Away from Home - Where people can feel like "this is my place" where I can be myself and be reinvigorated through warmth, cheerfulness and companionship.

There is more to be said on this subject but I feel I need to quit circling the runway and bring it in for a landing for now.  Until next time, here is something to ponder from the mind of Stephen Wright:

"Do employees at Lipton get coffee breaks?"

Until next time, I wish you all the very best,

Barista Dave!

* I used to own a copy of this book but let someone "borrow" it back when I used to be the owner and head barista of StoneWood Coffee & Tea Co.  I can't remember who it was but if you are reading this and suddenly go "oh, it was me!" AND if you are done reading it I would love to have it back.  If however you are still enjoying the read and need more time, no worries. Just keep me in mind.


** A "Third Place" that offers 24/7 wireless internet may actually be contributing to and creating an atmosphere I refer to as a "hollow effect" where patrons are physically present but disconnected and non-interactive with others, rather being focused on remote e-distractions.  Some Third Places are implementing a strategy of staging performance art & events (conversation forums, guest speakers, light drama, story tellings i.e. The Moth, art shows, live jazz etc.) and turning off of the wireless for the duration of the event to encourage patrons to engage and interact with one another, publicizing the events as "wi-free" (as opposed to free wi-fi. Basically it means leave the lap top at home or turn it off, mute your cell device or blackberry and engage in the enjoyment and atmosphere of the event shared as a present immediate community).