There's a post right over
here about ratting/confusing/funny/bizarre things to say to people in chat. Some of them are pretty good. But when I'm not being berated for drawing to my straight with 16:1 pot odds ( [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] ) I find I enjoy more friendly discourse.
I actually like the chat function. I find that having someone personable to chat with about non-related things (women, NASCAR, work, whatever) help me keep in control of the boredom monster, and keeps my play as tight as it needs to be. I'm not ready to multitable yet, so something to do with the hands while still keeping my attention on the action is a good thing.