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Don't most cultures in the world (outside of the US) engage in these kinds of discussions? I lived in Italy for a few months and as I was walking around the cit

Don't most cultures in the world (outside of the US) engage in these kinds of discussions? I lived in Italy for a few months and as I was walking around the city I'd often come across groups of 2 to 4 men standing on a corner engaged in a passionate conversation. I might see them as I entered a store to shop and when I came out 30 minutes later they'd still be at it. I'm kind of envious - it's really something we don't have in the US because we're such an isolated culture.

Jtsummers 5y ago
It happens in the US, but the physical structure of cities makes it much harder. With dwindling downtown areas and a preference to commute by car you have few opportunities for the happenstance meeting with others (strangers and friends and acquaintances). The places I've experienced it in the US were on college campuses, in older east coast cities with a different structure than the normal US city, and smaller towns with a still existing downtown (which is not all of them, many downtowns in the US are strictly places of business, or worse declined to just a couple government buildings).
nine_zeros 5y ago
It's very rare in the US. Adda is quite literally wasting time on conversations. It cannot thrive in an environment where time is money and money is sacred.
- ghufran_syed 5y ago
  The subjects of this article would probably disagree with you: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-barber-shops-salons-safe-havens-cultural-chats-n1184691 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-barber-shops-salon...
  - nine_zeros 5y ago
    This is close enough but the big difference between an adda and a salon is that the salon is still a commercial establishment. Adda is such gatherings anywhere. On the streets, rooftops, temples, parks, local tea stall, something called as a clubhouse (yes physical clubhouses without pay for play). A friend's favorite adda was a fuckin commuter train. People would text each other to catch the same train and just chat for 40-50 mins of the journey.
vanderZwan 5y ago
Within Europe, spontaneously meeting someone on a casual stroll outside is more of a Southern European thing than a Northern European one. But Sweden (where I live now) has a strong "fika" culture instead, which is basically meeting up for coffee, taking it easy and catching up. So more or less the same thing, it's just a bit more planned and indoors. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference has more to do with traditional weather conditions not being the kind where you go for a stroll outside

Jtsummers 5y ago

It happens in the US, but the physical structure of cities makes it much harder. With dwindling downtown areas and a preference to commute by car you have few opportunities for the happenstance meeting with others (strangers and friends and acquaintances). The places I've experienced it in the US were on college campuses, in older east coast cities with a different structure than the normal US city, and smaller towns with a still existing downtown (which is not all of them, many downtowns in the US are strictly places of business, or worse declined to just a couple government buildings).

nine_zeros 5y ago

It's very rare in the US. Adda is quite literally wasting time on conversations. It cannot thrive in an environment where time is money and money is sacred.

ghufran_syed 5y ago
The subjects of this article would probably disagree with you: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-barber-shops-salons-safe-havens-cultural-chats-n1184691 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-barber-shops-salon...
- nine_zeros 5y ago
  This is close enough but the big difference between an adda and a salon is that the salon is still a commercial establishment. Adda is such gatherings anywhere. On the streets, rooftops, temples, parks, local tea stall, something called as a clubhouse (yes physical clubhouses without pay for play). A friend's favorite adda was a fuckin commuter train. People would text each other to catch the same train and just chat for 40-50 mins of the journey.

vanderZwan 5y ago

Within Europe, spontaneously meeting someone on a casual stroll outside is more of a Southern European thing than a Northern European one. But Sweden (where I live now) has a strong "fika" culture instead, which is basically meeting up for coffee, taking it easy and catching up. So more or less the same thing, it's just a bit more planned and indoors. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference has more to do with traditional weather conditions not being the kind where you go for a stroll outside