I think this cartoon is very relevant here.

Yes, I do mind if you distract me, while I’m doing something else!

Attribution: I couldn’t find the orginal post on Instagram, but the cartoon is by SteinbergDrawsCartoons, and his website is here, and his cartoons are prety good IMHO.

  • Deestan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    20·
    11 months ago

    How to establish this boundary without pissing people off?

    Trick question! It is not possible because James fully understands and respects this but he wants to ask you something. It is not urgent but he doesn’t want to go to his desk to type it in a mail or message and patiently wait for you to see it. Just asking you is much easier, see.

    • lgsp@feddit.itOPEnglish
      11·
      9 months ago

      How to establish this boundary without pissing people off?

      A pair of headsets will do. They could be fake, for that matter.

      For some reason people will tend to disturb you more easily if you are working than if you are listening to music 🤷

    • taladar@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      10·
      11 months ago

      Bonus points if what he wants to ask isn’t even something you know. You are just better at googling or learning information than he is and he is lazy.