Have you never had an interesting conversation and then looked up, realising that 4 hours had passed?
In my experience, I find it easier to focus with someone next to me than by myself. To the point that I take half as much Ritalin on pairing days than when I work alone.
Maybe you're right? It has to be the right person/people. Also, combine pairing with an open office and now you have two people with double the chances of being interrupted. So it's circumstantial.
Have you never had an interesting conversation and then looked up, realising that 4 hours had passed?
In my experience, I find it easier to focus with someone next to me than by myself. To the point that I take half as much Ritalin on pairing days than when I work alone.