[a_c_s]

I don't understand the distinction you are making: two couples (4 people) meeting at a restaurant is, to me, equally social as one couple going to another couple's house to eat dinner.

[closewith]

Four people in a public space interacting with the rest of the community is fundamentally different to four people in an isolated silo.

[TylerE]

Having to listen to some drunk two tables over matter away is not desirable community interaction.

It’s nice to be able to carry on a conversation somewhere there isn’t a constant din.