I don't see what the point here. When I first started riding rollers and couldn't keep the handlebars steady, I realised that if I held the handlebars right at the stem, with my thumbs almost touching, I could hold the bike a lot more steady.
There are other variables in this too. If your stem is shorter, that makes the bike easier to manoeuvre. So, if one can handle the bike in traffic, why would I complain? I know I can handle such narrow bars. I don't have such narrow bars because I want more hand positions. Maybe these people are OK with one position. Maybe they ride between cars and through narrow spaces. I'll let them be and be on my way.