Like I used to help run these study groups that would involve discussion and an exercise
I would let people do small talk at the beginning but wouldn't participate, because some of the other participants were more extroverted and liked to do their "Are you a dog!" "I'm a dog!" exchanges early. When it lulled I would step in and we could run the group, but then we'd return to small talk and I would participate in that as part of the social ritual