I hate an open-plan office design, as everyone and their activities are literally within earshot distance. I get to hear things that I don't want to nor have any interest in. Trust me, hearing an auntie occasionally scream in laughter while another shouts into the phone while trying to work out a complex algorithm in my head is not at all a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, owning a good pair of noise- cancelling headphones is my only respite (but man, those shrills can sure defy the state of the art...). These few days, the chatter has been about the volatility of the markets. The aunties would shout across the aisles to each other: 'wah lau drop until 18 liao!!'. Even the younger guys on my team have been hit by the sudden interest in the markets. Their chairs have been wheeling toward each other's desks more frequently, discussing if they should...