It's worth mentioning that this pattern of customer service also seems to be becoming more common.
My guess is it's some ticket-based support system on their side and their incentives are to close the tickets within certain time-frames where the actual support seems to take a back-seat.
I think that question is in itself a fundamental part of UX design and research. Designs are better assessed with a context - so design that is bland for one group could be read as being elegantly minimal by another, and the opposite.
A big part of UX research is figuring out the user base and making designs conducive for your target.
I thought I was the only one irked by this.
The instagram web-page does a great job acting as a web-app without trying to force the user to do their bidding.
I hope Reddit atleast stops trying to force users to install their app if not making a mobile-friendly website.
My guess is it's some ticket-based support system on their side and their incentives are to close the tickets within certain time-frames where the actual support seems to take a back-seat.