Hmmm....I always thought the talking to other people thing in front of others was try hard.
I'll have to revise that thought process and look at its mechanics.
I do it as an open gambit. I'm talking to your friend. Are you attractive enough to steal my attention back? I have the power and I do what I want.
This seems like the only point where it makes sense to pull that stunt. I recall Paradise writing that he did that in his book.
If you talk to the one you don't want it really should fuck with the ego of the one you want if she is decently attractive. Women wonder why they aren't the center of attention and like to rectify the situation if possible.
It would only work if you're down with your shit though because if you're really about yourself then you'll ignore the one trying to steal your attention once or twice just to cement home the point that what you have to say matters. The one you're talking to would naturally want to hear what you have to say because a valuable person has valuable conversation. You wouldn't like or care to be interrupted when your lips are moving either, hence the earlier statement.