When Mr. Every Second Counts Sat Down Next to Me

I cruised into the coworking space, iced coffee in hand, ready to crank out some writing. As always, I scanned the room, zoning in on my favorite spot — the seat by the sunny window, where I get the perfect amount of refreshing daylight and the hum of nearby chatter to get into the flow.

Unexpected Occupancy

But when I arrived at my workspace, I was met with a cruel fate staring back at me in the form of a laptop-less human who had clearly claimed my territory. Alright, no big deal. I’m flexible. I picked another spot, plopped down, and powered up, ready to churn out pure genius.

First Impressions of the New Guy

That’s when the spectacle began. Out of my peripheral vision, I noticed the New Guy still hadn’t opened his device. Odd. I glanced at my watch — already 10 minutes had passed since he first sat down. Huh. Maybe he got an important phone call. None of my business. I directed my gaze back down and resumed tip-tapping away.

Battling Overpowering Distractions

Moments later, an aggressive spritz broke my concentration. I looked over to see the New Guy generously misting himself with body spray as if preparing to walk the Versace runway instead of sitting motionless at a shared workspace. The fog quickly dissipated, but the nauseating stench decided to linger.

Trying not to inhale the overpowering fumes, I subtly stretched my t-shirt over my nose and attempted to continue working through watery eyes. But soon, the incessant squeaking of the New Guy’s chair as he shuffled around like a 2nd grader itching to go to recess kept breaking my flow.

“C’mon, man…read the room,” I muttered under my breath. Could this guy’s setup process be any more disruptive?

Then, as if hearing my snarky comment, he got up and walked away! Yes! Maybe now I could have some peace and — he’s back. With an obnoxiously full water bottle sloshing audibly.

Over the next 20 minutes, I watched dumbfounded as this dude futzed with repositioning his drink, fanning himself with folders, adjusting the AC vent, scooting his seat millimeter by painstaking millimeter. You’d think he was a picky feline making itself at home rather than a human preparing for a work session.

By now, 35 minutes had gone by, and Señor Fidget had YET to even open his laptop. How was this real life?! I gave up all attempts at being productive myself and resorted to gawking in disbelief.

At minute 37, the blessed moment finally arrived…he flipped open his MacBook. Hallelujah! Now back to business! But I couldn’t peel my eyes away just yet. Morbid curiosity overcame me as I watched to see just how delay-prone this guy could possibly be.

Concluding Reflections

Today, I was reminded that patience and adaptability are not just virtues but necessities. We all have our rituals and rhythms, some more elaborate or distracting than others. Yet, in the end, what truly matters is how we harness our moments of focus and productivity, no matter how delayed they might be. This encounter serves as a reminder to embrace the diversity of working styles around us and find harmony even amidst the unexpected. 

So, as you roam around your own workspaces, whether shared or solitary, consider this: How can we coexist productively, respecting our differences and finding common ground in our shared human experience? 

Sometimes, the greatest lessons are learned in the most unlikely places, even in a coworking space filled with the scent of cologne and the sound of a sloshing water bottle.

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