What are you referring to, @StPaulDad ? The idea that a sign to remind people to keep volume down in the common area means people are “watching/judging you” or the fact that the faculty members are annoyed by some students failing to be mindful that their volume is disturbing others. If they have been asked previously to hold it down and/or use the other kitchen/lounge and they have ignored this request, then yes, maybe they are being judged a bit. Someone upthread said different cultures have different thoughts about what is considered “polite behavior” (or words to that effect). Perhaps that underscores the importance of being clear with what they are asking/telling students to do.
The fact that the 2 professors were mentioned and wanted the offending students names so as to be mindful of them when selecting research assistants (or what have you) was incredibly stupid and unnecessary. Its likely that its easy to figure out whose offices are near the lounge, and AKA who is complaining, and thereby those professors would in turn be judged as well. Maybe grad students wont want to work in their labs. The consequences can go both ways.