Office politics

[whatisforteamum]

I love my new job,great hours interesting enough and local.
Some really lovely colleagues too which is appreciated after a dreadful job.
Thing I'm struggling with is office politics.
My default setting is to stay out of it and keep myself to myself which in my last job made me seem detached (they wouldn't speak to me).
I'm interested in new ideas and I'm motivated by that.
Is it ok to just be enthusiastic about your job be friendly and go home without all the gossip and running down of the staff and customers or will this leave me on the outskirts again.?

I've been with my employer in various roles for 20 years. I don't do office politics, I don't do gossip. I am good at my job, reliable, friendly and a technical expert. I'm approachable, happy to help and more than happy to provide relevant mentoring. But I steer clear of office politics, it's the easiest way to create hard feeling and fall out with people.

It’s totally possible and when you don’t engage in politics, you become more trusted so it’s a win win.

It's the bit I hate about work or people in general.
I will stay in my own lane while being professional.