Lurking

Lurking is reading along in a chat room or group conversation without posting yourself. A "lurker" is present and following the conversation but staying silent.

It is a completely normal and common way to engage, especially when you are new to a space and getting a feel for its tone before joining in. Most active online communities have far more lurkers than posters.

Lurking becomes a problem only when a space depends on participation to function — but in most chat rooms, easing in by lurking first is a perfectly good way to start.