I always thought it was to show that Tattaglia is scummy and isn't really paying attention. He in part caused the war, and now when things are being discussed he's whispering to his henchman instead of caring what Zaluchi is saying. It kind of came off as a "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let's get this over with" kind of vibe to me personally.
Maybe he was lining up hookers.
"Io sono stanco, sono imbigliato, and I wan't everyone here to know, there ain't gonna be no trouble from me..Don Corleone..Cicc' a port!"
