[divbit]

Fair enough - and I expect it probably varies by individual. I would strongly wager that I get more done at a coffee shop, or some place with a low buzz, than sitting alone at my house - as long as the conversation isn't directly at me. I do bring some high quality over ear headphones with me in case it gets temporarily loud though.

[divbit]

Basically I think that as long as the conversation is interspersed / mixed enough that I can't easily understand what people are talking about, then I think it's not thought disruptive, and even beneficial in that case - I agree when people are talking loud / clear enough that you are basically a third listener in their conversation that it can be less than ideal.