Another WFH rant

[SqueegieNC]

DW and her friend are both in the study, having a very loud, very animated conversation.

I am WFH, also in the study.

I've got this spreadsheet which is really giving me the arse, and I can't help thinking I would have got it working by now if the animated conversation was happening in another part of the house, or indeed in another part of town.

If I unplug my laptop and take it to another room while the friend is still here, I will be perceived as antisocial.

Noise cancelling headphones can only cancel a certain amount of noise.

Bloody spreadsheet.

Thank you for listening.

Well that's selfish. Maybe it's okay for you to be deemed anti-social, though. I think you should say something, politely.

You aren't being unreasonable in wanting to use dedicated study/workspace for exactly that. If your wife and her friend are so obtuse that they don't see your need for peace and quiet, that's on them, not you, your work, or even the bloody spreadsheet. Do you have an office you can go to and how would your wife respond to increased time and money spent on commuting?

This is why companies give their employees office space. Does your company mot have any offices?

My husband wfh and I would never dream of sitting with a friend jn the study, that seems quite strange. Is she a friend to both of you and popped in to see you as well? My husband will pop out the study, say "how lovely to see you FRIEND, I'm so sorry I'm working but let's go for dinner all together soon" then go back to his study and shut the door.
I think you probably need some boundaries about your study/office (maybe call it the office to set the tone), and she should only be in there if also working/using it appropriately - do you need to re furnish or redecorate your living room, or find space for a snug or something so she has somewhere more appealing to go?