not that guy, but the two times I've had to do it I was miserable. I like getting an assignment and then going off to my cube to do it. To have to constantly be in communication with someone makes my work miserable. I'll gladly send you status at the end of the day, just don't make me ever work that closely with someone again or I'll find a new company.

I never had a job where I did but it happened sometimes (eg solving a critical problem together, or pair programming in new projects to learn). I found it hugely stressful: it made me anxious to have someone waiting for me to collect my thoughts, and work twice as tiring.

I would probably refuse some a new position if there was the expectation of constant pair programming, but I'm curious if others have different experiences.