In Beethoven's time, was it common for people to carry on conversations during a concert?

My friend is pissed that people were talking during an outdoor concert of the Phil Harmonic in Central Park. But if I am with my friends and some great music is playing, and wine is flowing, I intend to enjoy the company of those around me, rather than just sit and listen silently. I can do that with my iPod in my apartment. I mean we were so fat back that we were really just listening to the speakers pumping music from a few hundred yards away... She claims that people who would talk, can't appreciate clical music. I know in theatre history, audiences were very rowdy and outspoken. I am wondering if someone who studied music history can tell me that maybe things were that way in a concert as well. Can great music be the background to great conversation? (P.S. She fell asleep during the concert, I think that is way way more insulting to the artist.)