For context, I (31F) hate drama. Get anxious watching romantic comedies because of that inevitable point of tension towards the end. I just want everyone to get along and truly believe that most workplace issues would be solved if people wouldn’t sit so much in their big feelings and just got back to work!

I have just started a new job and I can already tell that there are some strained relationships between a few of my coworkers.

The other day, my manager came in and started dropping some complaints about a coworker in another department. Then, the girl who was hired with me started jumping on board and dropping a few of her own grievances. Now, I don’t have anything against the girl they were complaining about. In fact, I totally empathize with her objective-focused mentality. But I need these people to like me, so disagreeing too strongly didn’t feel like an option. Instead, I pretended to be completely unaware. Like it had never crossed my mind to read into anything this person has ever done or said. It worked!

Now, there have been a few other times since when “drama” has happened in my vicinity, and I have adopted the same position. I don’t notice any “tone” or any examples of “overly assertive” behavior. I am “blissfully unaware” of all tension. My manager and colleague have started responding to my feigned ignorance with doting and treating me a bit like a sweet, sweet child. It is a tad condescending but it feels better than having to deal with the BS. I’m really hoping it will also serve to deter them if not everyone in the room is excitedly jumping on board the b*tching train.

So, AITAH for lying about my social awareness to avoid getting sucked into the workplace drama?