One thing I have noticed is who or rather how the class workshop is run. In some classes I have been to everyone is concentrating so much silence reigns. But in others with no teacher chat is heard all the time with people visiting each other and looking at their projects.
If you are in a class where teaching is going on it is rude to chatter, I also feel it is rude to keep slowing class down by asking for individual information. Taking notes is your own thing no problem with this.
You have to decide why you are there and what you want out of the meeting without taking from others.