.. why don't you complain dude ? what's the worst that can happen ? hell, ask everyone so you can form a group-complain or something ? fuck it complain everyday, making them stressed that you complain ? shit like, please lower a little the volume or stay a little quitter ? do it persistently and stress them back? fucking take a note from a doctor ? go around the office with noise detector to find the quietest desk and ask to transfer there? report anonymously for bad working conditions ? put cameras with movement detectors and keep stats on each desk ? but at least you'll find some closure instead of going insane

source: experience

I bring it up to managers and co-workers as often as I can, without sounding too bitchy or out of place, because I know how fickle some humans can be, I don't want to be a constant source of negativity -- you have to be in an exalted position to bring up these things, because otherwise you'll just be brushed aside -- well Frank over there sits in the noise and he's twice as productive as you -- well I am not Frank. That's part the reason I don't quit. I am hoping to excite some kind of change. There are enough psychological studies and evidence based claims I can make to fill a boardroom on the negative effects of distraction on productivity, it's just finding the right opportunity and having the right leverage.

Agreeing with sibling comments here. Starting to work remotely has made me a lot more zen. And being in charge of my own schedule is a cherry on top.

I left out remote work. I do not consider it an option for many reasons:

1. I have tried it a couple times, and I did not do well. It's kind of like that advice where people say your bedroom should only be for two things: sleeping and sex, well home to me is only for home-y things: family, cooking, relaxing, house-chores. When I am at home, my mind is home. If I had the luxury of affording a bigger house with a separate office that feels detached from the rest of the house, I think it could work, unfortunately I won't know.

2. I am a little traditionalist in my thinking that having a presence in the office can only help you, and only being a remote worker can only hurt you. When it comes to job cuts for example, I think the people that are there day in and day out and have curated relationships with people are more likely to stay - it's human nature right? Also, getting a raise usually comes down to office politics. If you aren't there to understand how things work, it's going to be very difficult. Software engineers have pretty great starting salaries, but as we all know, they seem to get hard capped, depending on your market around the 150k to 200k mark. To be a 250k engineer must mean you are truly remarkable, something I am comfortable with admitting I am not.

3. To kind of restate #1, the separate of work and home is important to me. When I tried working remote, I always never felt that crossover from being home to being at work. Some people suggested that I actually get ready like I was driving to an office, and go out for a 15 minute drive to maybe a coffee shop or something to start my day, and if I ever get another chance at remote work, I may give that a shot.

I think as remote work becomes more pervasive, some of these issues I face may be solved, but I don't think we are there yet.

OK, let me just respond with my experience because it might be helpful to you or someone else.

1. Agreed 100%, I also cannot work from home. Especially with a toddler running around. I need to physically separate myself, so I rent an office space that's a 10 minute walk away (I'm in NYC). It worked out really nicely.

2. This might be the case if you're the odd one out. I can see how that would be isolating. Look for companies that have a remote culture, eg 50% or more of the employees are remote. I wouldn't want to be the guy working remotely as an exception.

Also, I have tried the "working out of a coffee shop" thing and couldn't stand it. It's very uncomfortable. I felt like a freeloader and I need a large, permanent workspace.

For a time, I worked about 10 hours/day in a coffee shop[0]. It worked for me, but you say upthread that you have a difficult time tuning out irrelevant buzziness - so it may not work for you.

[0] Actually, there were several coffee-shops, one with an outdoor patio on the lake.

Absolutely this! I do my main work one hour before everyone else in the office. The rest of the day i'm just trying to focus, while everyone else keeps talking, chatting, phoning or commenting their current task to themselves.

No offense, but 100% stress would mean it is not possible to feel any more stressed. To me, it brings to mind an ER surgeon or fighter pilot. Lives are on the line.

100% should be a breaking point. It sounds like you've accepted your situation if you've only found 2 companies that have quiet work spaces, and if moving isn't an option. Are you going to spend your working life at this job, redlining it at 100%?

Have you considered working remotely? There are a lot more remote positions available these days than you may think.

Just be very, very careful of your home environment. I ended up with neighbors from hell, while caught in a mortgage. Working from home was not an option (yes, they were that bad).

So, in the larger context, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, FIRST. BEFORE you work on your work environment, make sure your home environment is safe and restorative. (And, these days, has a fast enough connection.)

All else will come from this. Remote work. Or, when that's not possible, simple relief from stress when you are away from work.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, FIRST.

Luckily the things we looked for in a home made the ideal home office: lots of space, an extra room that wasn't a bedroom, big lot so we couldn't hear the neighbors even when they party, fast Internet. The house we ended up buying was perfect for our kids on the way 2 extra bedrooms, and a 500 square foot sunroom, but now that I work remotely it's perfect for that too. If it gets too distracting at home I can walk to 1 of 4 coffee shops.

Remote work is an option. :)