Assessing the role of tea stalls as third places in Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Assessing the role of tea stalls as third places in Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Summary/Abstract: According to author Ray Oldenburg, third places are spaces used by people to escape the routine of home and work. Conversations, discussions, hangouts, jokes and laughter are main activities of these social spaces. Different places in different context such as Coffee shops, bars, taverns, pubs act as third places. However, due to rapid urbanization, the social life of the people is hardly paid attention to, and infrastructures are preferred rather than public spaces. Tea stalls are small, shabby structures scattered about throughout the cities and even rural areas of Bangladesh that sell tea and snacks. Looking at the characteristics of third places, and observing the stalls, it becomes evident that these local tea stalls also act as third places. This paper attempts to assess and measure the performance of various types of tea stalls as third places in Rajshahi city. A questionnaire survey was designed to measure their performance. Based on the results and participant observation methods, it was seen that tea stalls act as potent third places. As lives are becoming more mechanized and social spaces are shrinking, third places can fight the lack of accessible, inclusive social places and enhancing the experience of city for the people.

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