I would like for there to be a way to check private messages without logging into general chat. I don't want to be rude to anyone in general chat but sometimes I don't have the time to talk; I simply need to look at something quickly from a private chat conversation.
I would like an option like this too.
As it is I rather choose to have private conversations via PMs (the ones you receive in your inbox) if it's about something I want to look at again some time later. It's easier for me and I don't "disturb" the general chat while looking up something from a previous conversation. Plus, I'm easily notified if there's a new message as soon as I log in.
I also do private messages in chat, but only when I'm chatting anyway. If I don't feel like chatting in general, I won't check my private chat messages either.
1. "Just checking private messages" It could be worded different ways but going with exactly what I mean here. There could be a chatbot message attached to your name that says this when you log in so no one gets confused with symbols or upset and feel ignored if a friendly hi isn't responded to.
2. "New here, checking out chat" This message could ask to not say anything beyond the friendly hello to help the new person get used to chat and not be overwhelmed. Besides myself and the_tortoise, I've noticed many new members log in and out quickly, nervous, but wanting to see how the chat is here. Some have even specifically mentioned the challenge to try it out.
3. "Just listening/spectating" I believe this would be useful for members who are not new but still have difficulty joining chat or that want to lurk to see if they would like to join in the conversation. Yes, you can refresh the chat archive page but that can leave one feeling creepy. At least joining chat, you and the other chatters know you are there.
I like these ideas.
You mentioned that it could be done via a chatbot message. I realized that it is actually possible to create messages like this yourself with the chat command "/me is doing something.". This causes the chatbot to write "[user name] is doing something.".
So you could make the chatbot saying that you're just checking out chat, for example.
However, people who are new to the chat might not be aware of this possibility and if they are already overwhelmed and nervous, they probably won't read the "Help" page to figure out this option and rather log out again quickly as you described. So in my opinion general chat entering options would be particularly helpful for members who are new to the chat.
As an alternative, displaying the already existing options, which are described at the "Help" page, more easily accessible could be helpful. I'm not sure where to show them and how exactly this should look like then though.