That's a rather uncharitable way to interpret it. I've merely stated my own preferences, not judged others for theirs. Why would you think it's the fact that ot

That's a rather uncharitable way to interpret it. I've merely stated my own preferences, not judged others for theirs. Why would you think it's the fact that others are being given the capability to focus that bums me out like some sort of grinch, rather than (as is the case) that I don't like being physically blocked from interaction with the people around me? As for the requirements of "good work", those vary with the nature of the job. One of the reasons I've always worked in an open plan office, aside from them being much more common in the UK, is that I work in finance, often on or close to trading floors. That's not an environment that benefits from cubicles and I believe they're rare in this industry in the US too. But mainly, it's what I'm used to and what I like. I never said you had to feel the same.