as a kid we lived in a rural area with a pond out back and plenty of space. we used to shoot them off over the pond. it was very pretty and the noise didn't carry so much as to be intrusive.

now I live in the city and the kids in the neighborhood are setting them off constantly. it echos in the courtyard of the building and sounds like gun fire. it scares my dogs... with the windows closed and the ac cranked up it isn't too bad...