I wanted to, but believed I couldn't afford to, ask about the physical working environment. I can get along with most any personality type. As long as my work

I wanted to, but believed I couldn't afford to, ask about the physical working environment. I can get along with most any personality type. As long as my workspace allows me to concentrate (for me, is (very) quiet unless I choose to make it otherwise, is clean (allergies), and has some natural light). I mean, I've worked (well) with widely acknowledged jerks. I've fostered genuinely careful and motivated people who were a bit slow to get the tasks at hand and so at risk. I've held my own with "the brightest". I've "networked" far beyond my "station". But, in many work environments, for HR type issues, you "take what you're given". And workspace seems to fall predominantly into that mold. In retrospect, I wish I'd blown off more of the "career" advice" that was heavily propagated, and just asked and insisted on knowing what the physical work environment was going to be like. I would have failed to gain some opportunities -- but I would have saved myself a lot of frustration and, ultimately, time in the process. For some people, it really does matter. And I'm one of them.