coping with distractions at work

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I work in an open plan office full of talkative people.

They're always making small talk or discussing their wives and girlfriends. I prefer to keep my head down and work, but these distractions are constantly making me feel isolated. I get a feeling like I must be missing out. Both because of what they're talking about (having a life) and the fact that they're talking about it (making me feel like I'm not social enough).

I can join in discussions in my group but often its people on other tables talking that are distracting me.

How can I stop it affecting me so much?

Do they let you listen to music at work? I have the same work environment and I'd go nuts if it weren't for my mp3 player.

Same here. if it were not for talkshows or my music, I'd go bonkers. I also like to listen to old radio shows like CBS Radio Mystery Theater, X Minus One or Dimension X. Most smalltalk I can care less, but it does distract me.