I am normally quiet but will talk if asked a question. But I am mindful that they may just be looking for a tell. So I am careful when and how I speak.
online poker pre 2010 there was LOTS of chat on the tables. Fulltilt was excellent for it as you were able to not only 'Play with the Pros' but you could chat with them too (on the tables &/or via observer chat). From doing so my partner & I were able to hold a special Birthday tournament and invited a number of Pros (televised pros) to the game. I also met Gavin Smith via 'observer chat' and as a result my partner received airline tickets to travel to a tournament where she was invited to play against Gavin Smith in a HeadsUp match - - a $500 freeroll (that she won!). On the same day (as a result of FTP 'chat') I won a SnG that had Maria Ho, Brad Booth, Dennis Phillips, Gavin Smith, Bryan Devonshire in it and a few others.
I never speak or read during the game, only in special cases, I talk almost always, I disconnect the chat so I don't even find out what they're talking about, that's how you say when you speak, you lose your consent and start making mistakes.
I can chat for a little while at the table just to joke around but when some to talking junk it never ends well for me. It usually gets a target put on my back and I almost never end up winning money when I do. However if I'm playing with friends and a few of them are better than me I like talking strategy just to see how they would play certain hands or even convince them to show me their cards if I fold just so I know I made the right decision. It's fun to play serious but it's also fun to play with friends who can help you get better.
Playing league and forum games you like to catch up with those you know. Other than that, if I'm talking it is to get information and normally it more observation than chit chat.
At online game, I lose my concentration too, so I focus at the game, disable chat to don't talk and don't see anybodys talk. At live game I don't mind to talk.