I would definitely have made sure she moved...curtain or no curtain. More entertainment for the audience I say!
However, I do think most people are more like you...and your friends. You feel embarrassed and awkward, and in the heat of the moment, don’t know what to do.
It reminded me of a time a friend invited me for lunch, when my last child started school. She wanted to ease me into the day.
When I got there....her neighbour, who’d only been there about a week I think...was unloading all her tales of woe about her husband, who she’d just found out was cheating on her.
She sat there...chain smoking and crying, with absolutely no regard for me or my friend. My friend had told her I was coming, and would speak to her after I left. She shouldn’t have let her in really, but she was too nice, and felt compelled.
In the end, I got up and said I was leaving. I told this neighbour I felt sad for her, but she shouldn’t have monopolised our time together. She was just selfish.
Later on, my friend phoned to apologise, and explained she just felt awkward, didn’t want to offend this woman.
I was just left feeling she was happy to offend me. I didn’t see her much after that. No idea what happened to the neighbour.