I don't often go to chat now, but there are times when I have gone and either no-one has said anything to me at all, or I have tried to chat and no-one has 'been there'...It is frustrating, and even embarrassing (I feel like I shouldn't be there, that maybe they are all PMing and I am interrupting). Like I said, I don't often go to chat now; this is 'in the past'. Hopefully ppl learn to use the 'away' button if they become busy so that it is clear whether or not their attention is with chat or elsewhere...
FYI- to see if someone is 'away' their name will be in italics...