Here are 3 typical scence at our colony:
1 – I, my wife, 3 neighbors and their spouses will sit in front of our units and shmooze. All present, all accoounted for. If one spouse leaves (and does not intend on returning in a minute or so), the other leaves too.
2 – my family will be invited to a meal at a neighbor. We do not sit a separate tables, but we do sit “round-robin” so no one is sitting next to someone of another gender, not of thier family
3 – there are 2 couples, and another 5 men, I’ll join the conversation. Standing only, so its not going to take root. Its a passing conversaion, usually after shul on Shabbos or to discuss where people are going that day / visiting day logistics, rides home, ect.
So do I “talk to my friends wife”? Yes. Would I “shmooze” with her for an extended period of time? No.