I've received those comments. I like it when they say, the stage is small, can you bring a smaller kit? I (used to) have a kick, 3 toms, 3 crashes, hats and ride. The toms and one crash are on top of the bass footprint, negating them, the 2 remaining crash cymbals are in the space created by my hats and ride negating them. So even if I had a 2 piece kit I would take up the same footprint. I think they think that we take up too much stage space, but hey if you want drums it takes what it takes. Last time I checked I wasn't able to shrink myself and my drums.
Guitarists most definitely, at least in my world, prefer it when drummers have minimal kits. I think they think that it's an indication that we won't play a lot. Guy comes walking in, like me for instance, with literally 14 different things to hit, (5 drums, 4 crashes, ride, hats, 2 cowbells and a tambourine, which btw takes up the same space as a kick, snare hats and ride) and they think "OK here we go...lead drummer..."