I usually post pics of my abandoned office but this afternoon it's full of revelers, enjoying the office party. Sat at the back of the room listening to people's stories of the year. I am crap at these events.
How do you cope?
I am often the only male (and always the only atheist) in similar work/social events. This year I just kept working while most others left early for a social gathering.
It's a legitimate excuse to suspend productivity so I take it and interact with people. Even if I'm not interested in them, I get to stop working, waste time and not have to listen to management bitch about it.
I used to dread the office Christmas party every year when I was a warranty manager I am so glad that I'm self-employed and I don't have to deal with that anymore
It is usually just superficial and shallow, pretending you like it just to score popularity points is dishonest and mind numbing. I never liked parties either, get out as soon as you can and spend the time (you only have one life) doing something you really enjoy. Making you endure party chat to prove you can fit in, is not really the act of friends, anymore than it would be if they told you to go to church.
My approach is to find someone like you sitting in the back and sit with them, not talking, just being introvert, to be honest. Maybe not a great coping mechanism, maybe super awkward, but it's me.
Thing is, I am much braver in email than I am in person. I actually organised the event and the secret Santa. Hard nosed academics are not known for their Christmas jollity, especially in the UK. I just sat in the corner and carried on working and chatting here. I would need far more alcohol than I have had to really get into the party spirit.
That's pretty much what I usually do.