I can agree that it is a matter of taste and different people will want different things. The problem is that 99% of us have no say. For me personally open plan

I can agree that it is a matter of taste and different people will want different things. The problem is that 99% of us have no say. For me personally open plan is hell. I am mentally drained by the constant distraction by lunch. I have a really hard time sitting down to focus deeply on a problem because my subconscious has been conditioned to expect interruption. It's worse than trying to work in the same room as my kids playing. I can disagree reasonably, but what good does that actually do me? Do I talk to my manager about it? He agrees but has no control over the layout. The upper-level management? They don't agree and don't care. Find a new job that's not open-plan? I already did, and then my team got all moved into one big conference room. This isn't good for my mental health or productivity. But its what most companies do so I'm stuck.