These F***ING CUBICLES or PODS........

What is up with the stupid cubicles we have to work in??? The size of the freaking thing is okay, however, have you ever noticed that most are set up so if you were to walk into the cubicle, you see the back of the person working and the front of the computer they are working on. I can't tell you how many times I have startled someone, seen them jump right up to the ceiling, when I come ask them something. Is it just me?? I actually made a guy lose a whole day's work (which was really HIS fault - cause he hadn't saved all day!) - cause when I came to speak with him - he jumped and kicked the power bar that was by his feet and turned his computer and pretty well anything else electronic off in his office (Yes - he was a lucky one - he HAD AN OFFICE!) I don't like being sneaked up upon, so before we moved - I made sure that the configuration of my space did not have me with my back to the entrance........I wear headphones for most of the day - so I don't always get bothered because people think that I'm just "getting jiggy with it" whilst I work....but then you've got those people that will practically take the headphones off your head to speak to you about nothing. I assume that companies situate cubicles in this way so that managers can walk by and see what employees are doing. Talk about being treated like an adult! If you ask me, if we are trying to build a 'teamwork' type atmosphere where employees can openly share information with other employees, the most effective thing to do would be to set up work spaces which are conducive to that. I'd much rather speak with someone to their face when I go over to them rather than talk to the back of their head. Or maybe do that "prairie dog" thing - you know where you try to peek over the top of the pod walls to speak to someone. Our walls are just high enough so that you can't get an eye level stance - but also - low enough that you can't even let a "silent one" go without someone knowing what's happening behind those horribly taupe canvas like walls! Does anyone know why cubicles are set up this way?? Does anyone out there hate it as much as I do? Of course, higher up's get offices with the computer facing *them* while they face the door when people come to see them. Ridiculous. I don't see why that should be just their luxury. Then you have "the one's" that get annoyed if ANY conversation is going on - doesn't matter what time of day it is - lunch, break, even first thing in the morning before we actually start to work. They wonder why moral is so low. Geez - I can sit in my corner - with NO natural sunlight/daylight and see no one - from the moment I come in to the moment I leave. The door out is directly beside by pod. Some might think this a good thing - and some days it is - I go away to chat for hours, come back - move a few things around - add a fresh glass of water to the desk, and voila - the boss knows your in - he just hasn't had a moment to run into you. But does this promote that 'teamwork' that they are always talking about? I think NOT! ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! Logging off....................DIZ