Sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression I was asking for advice on how to handle this in the future. I was instead simply noting that bad behaviour, as I took that to be the point of this thread.

I was not offended. People in a lounge should not have to listen to loud conversations, whatever the topic. Or FaceTime calls (anywhere in the lounge, really, but especially in the cellphone free zone). I especially don't like listening to vapid conversations that have very little content, which is what calling everything you mention 'idiotic' amounts to, whatever it is you're referring to. It's not even content, it's just bombarding other people with your inner life.