"Loud" and "quite" are subjective, and if you're in the presence of others, your opinion does not count.
One rule of thumb I've come to agree on is that if you find yourself standing around the generator with others and the words "not THAT loud" are uttered by anyone, it's too loud. They're trying to be nice.
I've been around these cheap HF 2-cycle generators and they're not THAT loud. They also emit a cloud of blue smoke that lingers unless the wind is blowing.
If you're all by yourself, and none of this bothers you, go ahead. In a public setting be prepared for other people expressing their displeasure. Sometimes you'll find a nice fellow that will loan you power. Other times you may discover that the generator can be used as a suppository.