The classic example is libraries, but ideally I’m thinking of places you can have a conversation.

Interested in types of places (“libraries”) or specific places. Growing up we would wander around the local grocery store which was open 24 hours.

  • Vintercon@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Most public libraries aren’t the stereotypical “shhhh” environment you may remember. Go visit your local library and try it.

    Source - library worker last 7 years

    • CoderKat@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I’m curious, were they ever that stereotypical “shh” environment that movies claimed they were? Because no public library in my lifetime was ever like that (just smaller school libraries), but I can’t go back very far. Most libraries I’ve been to have multiple areas or floors, some which are quiet and others which are allowed to be noisy.

      • Iliveonsaturdays@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        They were “shh” back in the day, but with time they have become more of a place for activity for the community. When I was a kid in the 80s and early 90s they were definitely more strict with keeping quiet, especially in the reading halls. Library history is actually quite interesting, and the whole development of the library as a key element in building and supporting democracy and community, is worth looking into.

  • KISSmyOS@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Your politicians, along with business leaders, have made sure to remove those places as much as possible.
    But I have to ask: Is talking not allowed in American libraries? Cause where I live, libraries are places where you can sit, talk, eat, drink, play board games, and of course read. There’s different rooms for different activities.

  • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Third spaces. Capitalism doesn’t like these as they don’t generate a profit. So there aren’t many left.

    Libraries, parks, anything publicly owned and accessible.

    There are some privately owned third spaces, like the inside of malls. But that’s about it I think.

    • Telodzrum@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Capitalism didn’t kill third spaces, technology did. Niel Postman and Robert Putnam spent most of their lives writing about the creep of technology and how it destroys actual human society and its base-level interactions.

        • Telodzrum@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Because “capitalism ruined it” is a tired and lazy excuse. I’m more interested in actual causes.

          • Pandemanium@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            I’d say it’s not even capitalism but the rabid anti-tax people/movement. Third spaces like libraries and parks are paid for by tax money, and if people keep voting against raising taxes, well guess what. No more public spaces.

      • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        They still exist in most towns and cities, and if not a mall, a strip mall usually has some inside portion. Smaller with less options, but still fits the bill.

        • AtmaJnana@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          most? citation needed. I’m 35 minutes from the nearest mall and I’m not even that rural. maybe you live on the east coast where things are more dense.

          • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Maybe it is a regional thing. I’m in Canada, so colder weather, almost every small town of 10,000+ has some form of “inside” mall.

            • AtmaJnana@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Oh that would make sense. I’m in the Midwestern US and mostly we just have strip malls and regular shops (and Walmart of course) in our town of 13K. Malls around here are only found in the larger towns of ~50K or more.

  • Bye@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    IKEA. Just sit on the sofas and hang out

    Caves. There are caves all over the place. Bring a gun in case there is a bear.

    Abandoned buildings.

    Freeway overpasses.

    The sewers.

    Subway/train/bus stations.

    Basically anywhere you find a lot of homeless people.

    • HeavyRaptor@lemmy.zip
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      1 year ago

      I had to go to IKEA for some furniture during a hotter period in the summer. The amount of people just hanging out and preventing us from actually trying the sofas was really annoying. So yeah, you can do it but it’s a bit of a dick move to actual shoppers.

      (also fuck IKEA for making their store into a huge maze where you almost have to go through the entire thing even if you just want a single item)

      • toynbee@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        I’ve only ever been to one IKEA, but at least for that one, there were somewhat subtle but definitely visible holes in the walls and displays to allow you to cut through the maze.

        ETA: Also - again, for that one - if you know what particular item you want, you can find that item’s location on the website and go straight to the warehouse to grab the item off the shelves.

    • slumlordthanatos@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      If you sit in a hotel lobby long enough, most properties will eventually kick you out. You can usually get away with it during the day, but you’ll start to stick out more the later in the day it gets. At night, the night auditor probably won’t even let you in the front door.

      Pretend like you belong there if you do need to hang out in a lobby for a while, and don’t make a mess.

      Source: am former FDA/night auditor.

    • LesserAbe@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, in the states a college campus center is a great place to hang out if you’re passible as a student. Some of the campuses are huge and there are multiple places that don’t require an ID card

  • mbp@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 year ago

    Museums! I find a lot of free ones here in Florida (indoor / outdoor)

    Used to spend lots of late highschool - early college time there with friends when we couldn’t spend any more than $3 a day on extras lol