Public Places

Speaker : Ben

How often do you go to public places?
I go to public places almost every day, to be honest. Even if I don’t have specific plans, I usually step out for a walk, grab a coffee, or run errands. I don’t like staying indoors for too long because I start to feel a bit restless.

What public places do you usually visit in your area?
I mostly go to the local park, a shopping mall nearby, and a couple of cafés in my neighborhood. There’s also a public library that I visit occasionally when I need a quiet place to focus.

What are the busiest public places where you live?
The shopping mall is definitely the busiest, especially on weekends. The central park also gets quite crowded in the evenings, particularly when the weather is nice. People go there to exercise, walk their dogs, or just hang out.

Do you often go to public places with your friends?
Yes, quite often. We usually meet at cafés or restaurants, and sometimes we go to the park to play football or just sit and talk. It’s more enjoyable being out when you’re with friends rather than alone.

Have you ever talked with someone you don’t know in a public place?
Yeah, it’s happened a few times. Usually it’s something casual, like asking for directions or making a comment about something happening around us. Once I had a long conversation with a stranger at a café because we were both reading the same book, which was pretty interesting.

Do you wear headphones in public places? Why or why not?
Yes, almost all the time. I usually listen to music or podcasts when I’m commuting or walking alone. It helps me relax and block out background noise, especially in crowded places.

Would you like to see more public places near where you live?
Definitely. I think more green spaces or sports facilities would be great. Right now, most of the public spots are commercial, like malls or restaurants. It would be nice to have more open, free spaces where people can just hang out without spending money.

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor public places? Why?
I prefer outdoor places, especially parks or open areas. Being outside helps me clear my mind and feel more refreshed. Indoor places are convenient, but sometimes they feel a bit crowded or stuffy.

Are public places in your city clean and well maintained?
For the most part, yes. The main areas are generally clean because the local authorities take good care of them. However, some smaller parks and streets could definitely use better maintenance.

Is there a public place in your area that you particularly like? Why?
Yes, there’s a park about ten minutes from my house that I really like. It’s not too crowded, and it has a nice walking track and plenty of trees. I usually go there when I need to clear my head or just take a break from studying or work.

Speaker : Blondie

How often do you go to public places?

Gosh, pretty much every day, I’d say. I mean, between commuting to work and just popping out to grab a coffee, I’m constantly out and about. I’m not really a homebody, so I spend a fair chunk of my time in public spaces.

What public places do you usually visit in your area?

Usually just the local park near my flat—I try to get some steps in when I can—and maybe the library. To be honest, I mostly go to the library when the Wi-Fi at home starts acting up and I need to actually get some work done!

What are the busiest public places where you live?

Oh, the main train station, definitely. It’s an absolute nightmare during rush hour—just total wall-to-wall people. The central shopping mall gets pretty packed on the weekends, too, which is why I usually try to avoid it if I can.

Do you often go to public places with your friends?

Yeah, all the time. We usually end up at a park if the weather’s decent, or we’ll just hang out at a café for hours on end. It’s just nicer to be out in the world when you’re catching up, you know?

Have you ever talked with someone you don’t know in a public place?

Not often, no—I’m a bit of an introvert, really! But I did have a random chat with a lady at a bus stop the other day. We were both just complaining about how late the bus was. It was a brief ‘misery loves company’ kind of moment.

Do you wear headphones in public places? Why or why not?

Actually, not really, no. I know I’m probably in the minority there, but I’m a bit of a stickler for being hyper-aware of my surroundings. I honestly feel a bit vulnerable if I can’t hear what’s going on around me—like traffic or just people walking nearby. Plus, I actually quite enjoy the ambient noise of the city; it makes me feel a bit more plugged into the world rather than totally cut off from it, you know?

Would you like to see more public places near where you live?

I mean, it wouldn’t hurt! My neighborhood is getting pretty built up with apartment blocks, so a few more ‘green lungs’ or even just a little pedestrian plaza would be a massive win for the community.

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor public places? Why?

Outdoor, hands down—assuming it’s not pouring rain, of course. I just like the vibe of being outside more than being stuck in a stuffy mall with artificial lights. It feels a lot more refreshing.

Are public places in your city clean and well maintained?

It’s a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The city center is usually spotless because of the tourists, but some of the parks further out can look a bit… well, neglected. They definitely need a bit of TLC from the council.

Is there a public place in your area that you particularly like? Why?

There’s this little riverside spot with some old wooden benches. It’s super chill and, for some reason, it’s never really crowded. It’s my go-to place when I just need to decompress and get away from the screen for a bit.