Thankfully I don't have this issue - I only employ people that fit in well with our culture and therefore, I or my fellow team mates, don't need to worry about avoiding each other.

This is obviously different in larger companies. I would suggest though that if someone upsets you just don't talk to them. But, even if you want to avoid someone, try to recognise if they're actually good at there job - they may be useful.

Remember, always be professional :).

I mostly agree with j , but I would never build walls by establishing a "Do Not Disturb" rule. People come to me all the time because they have questions, trouble with their work, want to chitchat or want me to do something (the "shortcut-process"). I like my colleagues, and I like talking to them. As long as I get my work done, everything is fine. By doing so, I also get some necessary knowledge for my work (what software is used on which servers, how is stuff interconnected, etc.) and social networking is going very well. It allows me to go to my colleagues later on when I need something (and believe me, when I need something, it usually is not a simple thing to solve, or it is a bit urgent).

So, what kind of people do I avoid? I don't like people who stick 99.99999% to all of the processes and stop thinking themselves. They are hard to work with, usually distanced, focused on work only, snobby (so not really team-players) and, in my experience, very single-minded (there's more than one story behind this). While processes are very useful, it is important to not forget the human aspect and networking-factor. We are not cold machines which execute a program from top to bottom. So, I try to avoid them. I don't think that has anything to do with me being an engineer, though :D

Other than that? Always stay clear of production-guys. They are nitpickers and always angry about the IT and infrastructure and your programs being so slow and unreliable. Really, try to avoid a job which puts you in a mediating position between them and IT or any kind of development. You will suffer and you can't blame them, since it's their job to be like that.

Depends on your character I would say ? In the end it boils down on how good you are in controlling your environment.

Usually you can establish "don't disturb unless I'm in the <kitchen>, I explicitly asked you to come over or It's a real emergency".

Besides that it's all about knowing how to handle people .... I for example talk way to much if you ask me anything .... some people like that, some don't. It always depends on your type. Just establish common guidelines ... and the most important part be respectful ... you can create boundaries without being rude.

You cannot avoid always your workmates in the company because there are chances that you will be with them at the meeting or etc. But in my own opinion, I avoid people who have this what we call "crab mentality". People with crab mentality are not professional at all. They will try whatever method they have even taking you down personally just to let them succeed in life. Crab mentality is a widely used term in the Philippines given to people who wants to pull down other people that are succeeding in life or getting ahead of them. If you have one in your office, definitely avoid that person. I really avoid this type of people in the office. I am an introvert and I dont want to deal with them honestly.

here's useful link about that kind of mentality, faq.ph/10-signs-that-a-person-has-a-crab-mentality

still, maintain a professional attitude even though these kind of people is not professional in any way.