no shit
Office noise bothers some people more than others
311–320 of 509 posts
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#312Everything bothers some people more than others. Office noise is a subset of everything.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#313One compounding problem is that (in my experience) we haven't worked out socially acceptable ways to negotiate noise levels in offices. I.e., it's not always clear what the standard is that everybody is expected to meet, and there's no risk-free way of asking somebody to be quieter. And so, in addition to anger at the noise itself, we also have a recipe for simmering resentment and impotent rage.
At one previous job, during a 1:1, boss was pressing for anything I would change about the job, anything that could be improved. I had said no nothing several times, and so I replied in what I hoped would be understood as jest, “I guess Billy’s gum chewing”.
“Have you talked to him about it?” “It’s really not a problem” “Well I could sit you farther away from him, but we don’t have any open desks on this side of the office, do you want to sit on the other side by yourself?” “I didn’t mean that, I’d rather keep my desk.” “Well I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.”
“Well that went downhill fast.” - I did not say out loud.
I got the vibe I wasn’t the first to bring it up, and perhaps others had been less ambivalent towards the interruption.
I like my dead pan delivery of ridiculous statements. I had not considered the ramifications of that one being taken seriously, nor that it might be.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#314My biggest gripe is by FAR interruptions. I can deal with a noisy office. I can't deal with people that constantly and endlessly interrupt me because they know I know the answer to their question. Take 5 minutes and try to figure it out for yourself.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#315Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, I work for a Fortune 150 company in not cramped offices in a not dense, not expensive city that is definitely not in the middle of nowhere. Its a great working environment in a great location with great benefits and pay. Such things do exist, you just have to get out of the bubble and look for them.
I suspect everyones definition of middle of nowhere is a bit different. For example, to a NYer or Bostonian anything outside their respective cores is "nowhere". To people further south and west it seems to be a much more expansive definition.
For Boston some have this attitude about anything outside of Route 128. However historically that’s where almost all the tech jobs were. Today more has moved into the city but a large number of tech jobs—especially large companies—are well outside Boston/Cambridge.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#316Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you have a moment, can you share a link or two? There seem to be a number of models and prices. I don't know what's sufficient and what's overkill.
So, for sleeping I'd go for softer plugs like those made by Howard Leight for shooting (Laser Leights) or Moldex Spark Plugs. Hearing protection always talks about attenuation in terms of dB(A) (A-weighting being a sensible thing to do when measuring perceived sound levels). 30dB(A) is a significant attenuation (logarithmic scale, don't forget). 35dB(A) is quite an improvement over 30dB(A). For long-term use, ear plu…
I agree with all these. If you are choosing one blindly, my preferred earplug for comfort is the Howard Leight Max Lite. Ideally, though, buy a sample pack from someone (like this, https://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html) and see which one fits your ears and needs best.
Note that there is a considerable amount of technique in using earplugs correctly. You don't just shove them toward your ear and hope for the best. Normally, they are rolled tightly, and then inserted fairly deeply into the ear canal, where they then expand. Have someone demonstrate, watch a video on it, or read the instructions very closely.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#317Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Yes, you can use noise cancelling headphones but: >2. They don't really block all the noise and you live in anxiety waiting for that one blaring ringtone to squeeze through NC headphones aren't designed to block all noise, only repetitive noise, basically white noise. Other noises, like ringtones, actually are louder or easier to hear on many models of NC headphones, as is speech around you. Noise-cancellation's pur…
The ironic thing is "noise cancelling" headphone turn down the volume on the things easiest to tune out, and turns up the volume on things that are the most jarring. Which is why I don't use noise cancelling headphones, instead you need passive blocking of noise, ie: material to dampen the sound from the office. Sure sucks though.
I disagree, I have the Sony's commented above (WH-1000XM3) and everything is muted, while background noise is gone. I regularly have coworkers calling from behind me and I can't hear them.
If you actually have something that jarring out of your control, I would say you have a bigger problem then just "noise".
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#318Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ear plugs like ones made by 3M for construction workers has helped me sleep at night and study without distractions. Have you tried them?
If you have a moment, can you share a link or two? There seem to be a number of models and prices. I don't know what's sufficient and what's overkill.
I use "Mack's Ultra Soft Foam" for sleeping.
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#319Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know this isn't a great solution, but could you try a lightweight pair of headphones, and some relaxing music? Not particularly heavy music mind, but just something you can leave in the background. Maybe a movie soundtrack. I use videogame OSTs but that's not everyone's cup of tea. This would maybe make the headphone issue more bearable (lightweight - much less uncomfortable for long periods), and the goal isn't to…
No. The noise is the businesses responsibility to resolve, not the individual employee. We need spaces which take the needs of employees into account first when creating work spaces, not finance people masquerading as office space gurus.
In a three person company, every problem is every person's responsibility to solve. Especially if you're the only one having that problem!
Re: Office noise bothers some people more than others
#320Earlier quoted context omitted.
This baffles me. There are so many alternatives to working for a startup with no real office in a dense, expensive city.
Yes, you can also work for an established company with cramped offices in a dense, expensive city. Or you can take a massive pay cut, tank your career, and go live in the middle of nowhere. Sounds great.
> Or you can take a massive pay cut, tank your career, and go live in the middle of nowhere.
Working remotely is an option here (if you go this route, look for a 100% remote company though).