If you've never heard someone equate the vibes of a study lounge to the dynamics of community, well sit back, relax, and let me explain to you what I've come to realize during my hours spent in Columbia's Lerner Hall. Let me introduce to you The Piano Lounge, or officially known according to the sign on the glass wall, The Main Lounge.

Of the many rooms up and down the confusing Lerner Hall ramps, this one study space is unique. It's greatest distinguishing feature: the grand piano. This is arguably the best part of the room and makes The Piano Lounge what it is. Students are more than welcome to pause in their study and play a few notes. This is where the beauty lies, where the magic happens, and where unspoken rules of the space align with what I notice in society. (Picture below taken whilst reflecting on and writing this piece)

The first time I stumbled upon this lounge, I didn't know how much I'd fall in love with it -- to the extent of discussing my appreciation in an Odyssey article. Its simple foundations of communal respect surrounding the use of the piano fascinates me.

Here's how it goes. There are two types of people involved: the piano player(s) and those who stay to study. Both have responsibilities to the other. The students, by deciding to sit and study in this lounge, consent to hearing whatever music is played on the piano during the duration of their stay. It's important to know that they may come and leave as they please, but it is crossing the line to rudely interrupt the pianist and selfishly stop the music while everyone else is gladly listening. As for the pianist(s), they must be considerate of those congregated in the lounge. That being said, they're expected not to sit at the piano and bang random keys. If the boundary between music and disrupting noise becomes obviously blurred, it is then appropriate for one to step up and kindly ask for a change. When all these assumed social rules are followed, The Piano Lounge is enjoyable for all people involved.

Taking a step further, does this have greater implications for how we live our lives beyond study spaces? It's just something to think about.