From the internet to live play -- Giving off tells?

[TaoTe]

The chip glance is a tell I've found in many players. Staring at the flop for a prolonged period of time is another. I've done that myself when trying to figure out what two running cards can give me a straight or some other ridiculous draw I have because the flopped missed my hand.

I usually don't go out of my way to look for tells, as one may mean a monster hand for one person and stone cold bluff for another. I just try to recognize betting patterns and the type of player I'm up against: loose, tight, rock, insane, etc.

Oh yes, one very important tell you want to avoid. Don't talk during a hand. I never answer any questions except if asked how many chips you have left. I'm not sure of the rule, but does anyone know if you must answer this question, or can you have the dealer or floor person do it?