Maseches Pesachim Perek zayim mishna yud gimmel teaches that although a group of people eating the korban pesach together should face each other, if there is a kallah present, she may turn her face away from the group while eating. R’ Ovadia M’Bartenura explains that she would be embarrassed to eat in front of the group.
Apparently, this is not a phenomenon created by modern day society.