I consider the social interactions as part of the job. I can play nice and engage when I'm on the clock, and then I go home and forget work exists. If someone is being really chatty and I need to get stuff done, I just politely say something along the lines of, need to finish this, better get back to it. But if they aren't keeping me from getting work done, I can fake it until I go home.

"ooh, some help for my project? Nice!"

On a more honest note, I have no idea, as I've not been able to do it. Work is draining.

Remote work. I could never get around these interactions in an office, but remotely, I can stretch out the IM replies to slow the people down. Then they generally move on to someone else to get instant gratification when other people answer them faster than I do.

Can you wear big headphones? Also I can always pretend to be in a zoom meeting lol

You could be upfront and say that you are an introvert and don't enjoy talking to others at work?

“Sorry, I have to return some video tapes…”

just say you're super busy or, if that's the case, even that you're behind on schedule.

not sure if that works for you, but i don't care about their feelings more than about my goals, so i just walk away if they try to tie me up in a long conversation. if they follow me into my office i just put earbuds with music on and ignore them. they should learn how much convo is acceptable.

Wait until you can get a word in edgewise, then while you're talking (not them), check the time and say you have to get back to work.