cross-posted from: https://piefed.ca/c/[email protected]/p/981650/third-places
Any recommendations for free or inexpensive place?
Places I can think of:
Coffee shops
Breweries and pubs
Libraries
Parks
Small scale music concerts
Axe throwing
Malls
University campuses
I used to drink alone a lot but that didn’t lead to social interactions. I think it’s a cultural thing, in most of Europe people wouldn’t interact with strangers while there are other countries where you make friend by simply walking on the street
I’m often on business trips and had nice talks with different kinds of people, when I was sitting at a bar alone
Depends on the country, but e.g. Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Austria…
Norway was a bit isolating though
I once met a bunch of people in a bar in Australia when traveling with another Dutch guy who also said “this would never happen in the Netherlands”, validating it’s not just me.
Whereas Portuguese people would grab me off the street to invite me to join them.
So I guess I’m confused why you’d group Netherlands with more friendly and hospitable counties.
Really?
I had a customer in the Netherlands for years and was there on vacations as well
I’m always needing to adjust, because I find them so open and friendly
At least with Portugal we had the same experience :-)
France is quite hit or miss.
In my experience it’s either one of the friendliest person I’ve ever met or a real asshole.
Seemingly nothing in between.
But maybe it’s just relative to the culture we’re coming from…
I’m from Austria and met some Afghans at a paintball tournament.
They showed me pictures of them afterwards, where they were standing in the desert with AKs, because of the war.
They had a real problem at first in Austria, because after a beer or two, it could be that they hug you while talking, whereas in their home region eye contact alone was enough to start a fight.
Speaking of France… I thought I’d have some drinks with a French friend there and I made a comment about how many people she spoke to. She thought that’s normal, because why would you go to a bar otherwise? “Well, to get drunk?” She thought that was strange.
I suppose people traveling are always a little different though. I’ve traveled a lot and from Dutch people I always hear “I don’t travel to meet other Dutch people”
Well, to be fair, I also don’t travel to meet other Austrians
There was actually one exception though.
On one island of Cap Verde is an Austrian guy who made the best Rum there.
Had to hike to the distillery for like 2h up a little mountain.
Sadly can’t remember the name anymore…
But regarding your french friend, I’m with her. I can get drunk more cheap alone at home.
Visiting bars means to have other people around.
Sometimes those are just silent drink buddies, with which you drink in silence.
But usually some discussion about whatever comes up