In the context of where the OP experienced this and where I've had to do it, yes they understand exactly what I am yelling at them.

In the OP's case, if they were unwilling to escalate the noise issue to the purser, they can't really complain about it - and it would be interesting to know if these were revenue op-ups making the commotion or nonrevs - if the latter, they should have been told to be quiet or face disciplinary action. Furthermore, if these passengers were nonrev, the gate agent, or once onboard, the purser, should have moved a nonrev to accommodate the OP's seating preference.

The fact that the GA was disinterested in usually easy to read from a distance, and in these circumstances I just choose another GA or ask the lounge agent to call the gate and have it taken care of that way.