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Yes, but derisively referring any interaction with another human at work as “office politics” is the problem.

It can turn into office politics fast. Maybe you say the wrong thing and now you and your coworker have an awkward tension.

IMO it's almost never worth trying to make friends with your coworkers. Be nice, be helpful, and do a good job but keep your friends and work life separate.

Some of my best friends started as work colleagues. Very bonding working really hard with people you respect on problems you’re passionate about.

Not all of us are lucky enough to be paid to do things we are passionate about.

In my experience most close friends vent about their jobs to each other. Something that I very rarely feel comfortable doing with coworkers. I think I've met about 2 coworkers in my whole career who I felt that level of comfort with.

The other interactions like talking about your weekend aren't exacty something to comment on.

Also why it is a problem ?

Where is the line for you? Is a meeting with a sales team “office politics”? What about a meeting with software developers?

The problem is that there’s no reasonable definition of “office politics” that frames it as a positive thing. You’re approaching every interaction negatively as something you can win/lose.

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