Earlier quoted context omitted.
I actually like those a lot. It's one of the few places where people are not shouting, there's no bright lights or loud background music. People don't use cellphones much. I assume a certain (minority) of the population likes those things. There sure are enough loud and flashy things for people to choose from.
In the Mozart biography that I'm reading, it talks about how the opera during his time was much more social: people openly chatted, played cards, and were busy catching eyes during the show. It was a seen or be seen type of social affair, or something to do to pass the time. It was the job of the composer to draw attention from that other stuff to the show and singers. All this puffed up pomposity around opera or cla…
If you went to a nice restaurant and I came over and started talking loudly with spit flying into your dish or took some food from your plate it would ruin your enjoyment. When we're trying to hear the subtleties of interpretation from the performers, the faintest sound detracts from that.
I think most people can accept that talking in a cinema or using your phone is pretty anti social so I don't know why classical music gets such a bad rap for being pretentious when it has a conduct. The only thing that drives me crazy is people always seem to cough when the music slows down and gets quiet. Please do the exact opposite. Don't spoil those tranquil serene moments with your coughing. Cough when the percussion and the tubas are storming and no one will hear.
That said, I'm all for bawdy music experiences - I once saw a tiny production of Le Docteur Miracle in a bar in London which was extremely fun (by Popup Opera UK) and if you go to Sarastro's by Covent Garden you'll get some fun rowdy opera hits sung at you while you dine. Plenty of outdoor picnic concerts are similarly laid back