So, should you care about the job, or the chit chat?
the job, duh, but you also get skipped on promotions and other shit cause youre not involved in the chitchat. its how the politics affect your career. have you had a job before?
If politics are required for the job, but not listed in the job description (real world) then that must be discussed. If not, focus on your work.
which job actually lists “take part in office politics” in the job description?