Ask Lemmy @lemmy.world LesserAbe @lemmy.world 1 yr. ago

What are some places you can spend time where you're protected from the elements and it doesn't cost anything to be there?

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.

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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
- The public library I go to has tons of communal spaces, as well as a makerspace. I love it!
- 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.
  
  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.
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- Some libraries have this in the US, but not all. Also a lot of funding to libraries has been cut over time. Due to this a lot of libraries that once had these features no longer do.
- Yeah living in north America be like: gotta pay the microtransactions to have any normal human experience
- In my experience it's not like they get mad at you for making any sound, but they wouldn't be happy if you were having a lively chat with friends
- Can you give some examples how my politicians have done this?
  
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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.
- 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.
  
  Car-dependent zoning did.
  
  Why not both?
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.
- 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)
  
  This is an account of someone who just hung out in an Ikea, no thanks! https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3008
  
  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.
  
  Don't go in the entrance if you want an efficient shopping trip - go in through the warehouse exit.
Malls are always a good choice. Food options, lots of seats. Can people watch.
- Malls are dying. There are way fewer now than there were a decade 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.
railway stations?
hotel lobby. hospital waiting room. train station. airport. church.
- 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.
Universities are cool (presumably only if you live in a country without tuition).
- 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
  
  Anyone can be a student in a community college :)
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
- Even ones that aren't free often have a get in free day once a week or once a month.
Hospitals!

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