Sharing office space isn’t anything new, but it still frightfully difficult to explain its concept to those over 40 or to those have never seen what a desk looks like without grey walls surrounding three of its four sides.

Whether you’re one of ‘those’ grappling with the idea and wondering how to take the leap in a co-shared office space, or you’re one of the brave who did it like three years ago and is exhausted by the question, we decided to help you out a little.

After you’ve watched the video for a basic lowdown, here are a few answers you could use depending on who it is that is asking:

If you’re talking to a stranger:
“It’s a place for people to work on their own thing, side by side in camaraderie.”

If you’re explaining it to your kids:
“Work is kind of like school: it can be hard, but it can also be fun if you have good friends—and swings.”

If you’re explaining it to your archenemy:
“I work from a place that has Friday drinks and a naptime space. How’s that cubicle looking?”

If you’re explaining it to a business person:
“It’s a chance to have the freedom of working from home, the facilities of a real office, plus a social atmosphere and sense of community.”

If you’re explaining it to a long-time freelancer:
“It’s a place where we work together and talk to each other, rather than work alone and talk to our pets.”

If you’re talking to someone else who works from a coworking space:
—“It’s awesome.”
—“I know, right?”

If you’re explaining it to someone in a shared office:
“I have everything you have but I get to talk to the people next to me and have a great time. I’m probably also paying less.”

If you’re explaining it to someone who just doesn’t get it:
“It’s kind of like getting a gym membership but instead of treadmills you get an awesome office, and instead of working on your body you work on your business.”

If you’re explaining it to your mum:
“Rather than camping out in coffee shops or being alone at home I now work in a supportive environment full of people who are also working hard, so I have a helpful community and enjoy my day more. Trust me, it’s better than a ‘job’ job. ”

If you’re explaining it to your boss:
“It will make me a better worker. And, no, of course I won’t spend all of my time in the hammocks or playing ping pong…”

If you’re talking to someone who really needs to get out of the house and join us:
“Come and work with us.”

If you’re talking to a tea or coffee addict:
Twitch, and say, “I drink coffee and tea all day. And it’s free.”

If you’re over trying to explain it all the time:
“It’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.”

If that has convinced you, then great, welcome to the present! There is some fantastic space over at the Woodstock Exchange which includes fingerprint access, a variety of delicious coffee shops on the ground floor and some really good looking people. Seriously.

Within the building you can find an innovative set of office spaces that give you permission to do anything you want at just R1 500 per month. The Bureaux provides you with your own desk, weekly cleaning and uncapped high-speed internet. If you’re ready for an upgrade, then you can rent a space for around R5 500 per month.

[source: deskhub]