Oh dear, yes, well done to the ladies for staying friends.
The worst experience I had like that was when my DH and I were waiting for a menus and we both noticed a but of a whiff. We did those flappy-and-nose-holding signs to each other, silently mouthing "Have you farted?" but I knew it wasn't that kind of stink. Then we noticed the lady at the table behind my husband had her shoes off.
She and her hubby were engaged in a fierce discussion about Brexit so we did the Brit thing of not saying anything about the cheesy feet and making an excuse to the waiter that we'd forgotten something at home, before leaving and getting a carryout meal.
a) Neither of us wanted to interrupt them as they were almost at fork-jabbing point.
b) Even with the shoes back on, I fear the scent memory would have lingered.
c) We agreed afterward that any protest by us could have unbalanced their argument...and possibly even their marriage the way it was escalating.
But actually, in truth, we're both just polite wimps who are so glad we are on the same side in the Bxxxxt debate. 