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The comments about library etiquette are on to something.

But I think it also helps that most of the other people in the library are probably strangers, and if a couple of them are talking it's probably about something quite different from what you're working on.

"Team" conversations that might possibly be relevant to your stuff are the worst distractions.

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Agreed - I liken it to my college experience: if you want to eat or drink anything other than water, or talk to other people, you go to the coffee shop.

If you want to focus on your work and take breaks to do the rest you go to the library.

I always chose the coffee shop, so open offices don't bother me hugely. The caveat is that a good pair of headphones is a must.

> ... other people in the library are probably strangers

This is the key thing--our brains process familiar and unknown voices differently. Recognition of a familiar entity and the ensuing reactions are automatic, and they all have a processing cost.

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