[Buzaga]

Bad:

having your back surrounded, creates axiety, as a Ted talk told, generally, the more experienced/dominant will grab the 'more privacy' spots, of course.

Absolute worst:

Sitting at a table trying to do work, and some other dude trying to do the same across the table in front of you, the laptop screens are just high enough for you to be with minimal visual contact with the other and both become tense because you sort of have to lock view INSIDE the damn screen so you're not making eye contact with dude all the time. Still, it will happen tens of times. Impossible to concentrate, feel worn out at the end of the day. Random feelings of hostility and awkwardness.

The constant chit-chat is probably just a way to relieve the anxiety these places build.

Now I was just remembering of another shitty place I worked at: experienced/dominant dude controlled the AC, put it to freezing everyday, underground office, no natural light. When 6pm hit, it felt weirdly pleasant to leave because inside, with the artificial light + cold AC air, it felt like it was way later, my eyelids felt heavy from the ressecation and I felt like it was night because of the cold(sometimes I'd bring a jacket, even), then I went out and it was still day and still somewhat warm. Weird. And it was also somewhat open plan. God, it sucked!