Joey; I think you meant your response for Peter rather than for me.
Talking while the band is playing can work another way. In decades past, there have been times when I went to a restaurant to have dinner with friends or family, only to discover that there was someone playing music that I didn't care for nor want. I wasn't there for music, and didn't know there would be. However, there were the rare instances of that happening where it turned out to be something I appreciated.
The last band I was in had a regular gig at a restaurant/bar in town; so there were people who were there primarily for the food, and there were people there primarily for socializing; there weren't many people who were there primarily to hear us, though as the evening wore on, we would pull people in who were passing by looking for a band. But it did seem that most folks liked us.
The stage was in the front window, and for dinner, there were tables set up on the stage. So when I got there to start setting up, I had to wait until the window diners had finished eating and left. I would casually start bringing in the equipment and putting it down right by their tables to subtly drop a hint.
The bar was in the back at the furthest point from the stage. There were nights when, close to closing, the only patrons left were sitting at the bar, talking amongst themselves and/or watching the tv. But when we would finish a song, they would all applaud. I guess they were regulars who just wanted to show their appreciation even though they weren't primarily focused on us. And I thought that was rather nice.
