I don't do it religiously, but on occasion, my BF & I like going to B&N bookstore & sit at a table, relaxing w/ some magzines & maybe a beverage/snack from their little cafe. You can go to the library, but the feeling's not really the same & you can't bring in food or drinks. I guess you can go to Starbucks, but I prefer a roomier & less hectic place. What other public places do you go to to unwind, relax, cozy up w/ some good reading material or laptop/Nook/Kindle, etc. & drink a nice tea/coffee?
There's a cute little hipster cafe place here in my town that hubby and I like to go to every now and then. It's fun to get a yummy piece of vegan cake, a crossword puzzle, and just sit and soak in the scene.
Generally speaking, public = not relaxing to me. The idea of sitting at B&N actually stresses me...I would be miserable. :haha:
I find places like coffee shops too distracting because they're so loud and there's too much to look at. I like to go out to parks with a picnic blanket when the weather is nice, but generally my relaxing and winding down happen at home where I can enjoy the silence. I know Sarge was joking but I also enjoy a good bar with good company, even if I'm not drinking. I usually go out with friends on Tuesdays for pub trivia and Fridays for karaoke (although I never sing!) if I'm not too busy. It keeps me from getting too wound up and stressed out. Saturdays are usually quality time relaxing at home with the BF and that keeps me relatively sane too.
Our library does allow food in most parts of the library. I'll sometimes go sit there and read and sip some coffee. I love to go to a park and sit in the shade and read.
I seldom have the time or the impulse to go somewhere by myself to relax. If I bring Kira to the playground, I'll grab my Kindle and read it. Likewise if one of the kids has an orthodontist appointment or something. If not, after dinner it's very comfortable on the couch in my living room. If Peter and I want a little time as adults to just chat, we're more likely to call Dominoes to get the kids a pizza and just go out to eat. To be honest, I would be uncomfortable bringing my own reading material into a bookstore just to relax. I would be OK buying something there and reading it, but not bringing in my own Kindle or Nook and using their facilities.
We have a coffee shop here that I like. There is a little cafe in the grocery store too and there is a woman that I have seen around town with a few kids. I think grocery shopping is her escape for the week. I see her in the grocery store in the cafe sometimes, alone, sipping coffee, going through coupons, making the grocery list. Seems like that's her "me-time" for the week. Good idea.
I also love to bring my Nook into B&N and read the books they provide online in the store. The chairs are comfy, the drinks are good, and it's nice that they provide free reading material for the reader.
I love bookstores, but not for relaxing. My husband and I will sometimes go to a pub for a beer. A drive in the country is nice, too. Or, a hike. The most relaxing place for me is my home. I love to read on the sofa with a dog on my feet.
Our library does allow food. Plus, it is a beautiful building with tons of windows and comfy chairs--I love to take my laptop or a good book and hang out there for a bit.
Seriously, no. We do have an Applebee's and with a reservation (only cause we go every Thursday) and one teacher arriving no later then 3:30 are we able to get in:haha: It's the in place and always busy along with our Waffle House. Small town living! Love it though.
Because I live in a small town with no traffic once I leave work my life is pretty relaxed. When I lived in the city I liked to go to the downtown library. "It is something wonderful for sure" quote from my 10 year-old granddaughter.
Yes, HOME is the best place to me too & I've never just gone out in public alone to read/relax...always w/ the BF, which is nice. Not really. The only ones know of are within restaurants, like Applebee's like donziejo said. I'm not a bar/lounge/club person anyway...never will. I don't drink either. I can see how some people would feel that way. For me, Sats, my BF & I usually go out, but Suns are more the relaxation day. Someone started a thread in another board I belong to a couple yrs ago about B&N's comfy chairs. B&N eliminated the big, comfy chairs in many B&N locations. I personally think it's because they don't want people just sitting around for half the day in the store just ounging around.
I've never considered going out in public to relax. There are no bookstores, coffee shops, parks, bars, or other "hang out" kinds of places in my town. I live in a quiet small town. Not much in terms of places to go or things to do. The library is very small. Not much privacy. I like the library in DH's hometown. It has lots of sitting areas. I have been there to use their wifi a few times when we have been visiting MIL's apartment. Yesterday I enjoyed sitting at the top of the mountain. I've always loved that. It's so quiet and peaceful. No noise except birds and wind. Most of the time I hear that here as well. Windows are up now. I hear birds, including the neighbors rooster, and nothing else.
I understand, but they really are welcomed. There are even perks for those bringing in their Nooks to B&N.
My DH and I love a local pub-we go frequently to grab a burger and beer on Friday nights. It isn't the most relaxing place, but we like to unwind from the week. My favorite relaxation spot is my deck. I sit out there and read, work, and cook in the summer!
I LOVE spending Sunday morning hanging out at either Starbucks or our local bagel shop. People watching = free entertainment for me. My ex and I used to spend nearly every Friday night at Barnes and Noble. Like others have mentioned, hanging out with your Nook is encouraged by the chain. You can browse e-books for free while you're there!
I rarely go to public places to relax. My condo has a small porch with a table and a few chairs. It's in the city, so there are always people walking by, which is nice. When the weather is nice, I like to grade papers and work outside. Unfortunately, it's still been pretty chilly here.
I go to the barn I love seeing my horse. He can always make me relax because he's just such a goofball. We also have a group that goes out for drinks from time to time.
Around here you can rent a poolside cabana for the day at one of the big casino/hotels. Lots of my friends do it from time to time so that they can spend the day swimming, getting some sun, enjoying some drinks, and relaxing.
Yeah, B&N really loves it when you bring in your Nook (which is a B&N product). Free snacks and drinks at the cafe, free downloads of books and magazines...all sorts of stuff, really. The in-store experience is one of the selling points of the Nook. I've brought mine into a B&N store a few times, and every time an employee has seen my Nook and asked me if I knew about their current special or that I can go pick up a free smoothie or whatever at the cafe. I'm a loyal B&N customer, at least for my e-books, and that's part of the reason why.
I am planning to go to B&N on my spring break and sitting in the cafe to read and have a beverage and snack. I do this maybe twice a year but it is only relaxing if I go at a time when it's not too busy. I don't like spa days so I have a B&N day LOL
Relaxing for me: Walk on the beach Lunch or dinner out with dh Gardening A glass of wine on my porch Reading a book at home Cozy on the couch with dh and a good movie Friday afternoon glass of wine with my colleagues Painting Tea with my mom Time with my parents Time with my sons Getting my nails done
I would say my favorite public place to go and relax is the playground with my three daughters. they can play and I can read peacefully. One of the local schools has a GREAT playground, we go there all the time in the summer with a snack or lunch But i really never go anywhere alone, never. i always have at least one of my daughters with me - mostly my littlest
I know exactly what you mean. My "alone time" is my 15 minute ride to and from work, and early mornings on the computer--- though it's 6:18 am on a day off and Kira is 3 feet from me on the other computer.
