Table Rules at FLGS

[Retreater]

Long story short: I've been invited to guest DM next week's session of D&D Encounters even though I'm relatively new to the group.

I find some players' table talk distracting from the game and inappropriate (including frequent profanity, as well as sexist, racist, and anti-Semitic slurs, etc.) [Some of this is friendly ribbing between female, African American, and Jewish gamers at the table - but it's still distracting and looks bad to onlookers.)

I'm not a prude at all. However, I think that this reflects poorly on the newly established FLGS, which is trying to court new customers, as well as on the RPG community as a whole. I am not a prude, but I think that when there are families with 8 to 10 year old kids dropping by to look at comic books, toys, etc., that gamers should behave a little better.

Or if nothing else, we should focus on the game so we don't spend 2 hours for a session of encounters.

Show of hands: Would I be within my right as guest DM to ask players to stay focused and to not engage in perpetual bad language? I know that several players at least have complained that the regular DM doesn't put his foot down hard enough.

Retreater

 

[Mark CMG]

Clear the rules you want to institute with the store owners or managers first. Then lay down the law without ceremony. Be sure to let the first couple of people who mess up (it'll happen) know that if it continues they cannot play at your table. Be sure the owner or manager is nearby when you first intro the table rules so that the players know that the store ie behind you.

 

[IronWolf]

Clear the rules you want to institute with the store owners or managers first. Then lay down the law without ceremony. Be sure to let the first couple of people who mess up (it'll happen) know that if it continues they cannot play at your table. Be sure the owner or manager is nearby when you first intro the table rules so that the players know that the store ie behind you.

I agree with this. If the store owners or management is not on board with what I would consider reasonable rules then I suspect you are not a good fit for this game store (their loss). The game needs to be fun for you too. If the language and humor make you uncomfortable then it won't be fun for you.

 

[kaomera]

Show of hands: Would I be within my right as guest DM to ask players to stay focused and to not engage in perpetual bad language? I know that several players at least have complained that the regular DM doesn't put his foot down hard enough.

Asking them is certainly 100% within your right. What recourse you have to "put your foot down" beyond that will depend on how the store owner feels about it, your own willingness to say "OK, that's enough, any more of this and I stop DMing.", and the willingness of the complaining players to stand up and complain to the group at large.

 

[Perram]

First step - Talk with the managers / owner of the establishment before the next game, establish the rules, write them down, and inform the players of said rules! I run games at my FLGS and I let them know to keep things PG-13 at all times because a kid could walk in at any moment.

Second Step - Enforce it! Really. Give warnings of course, then boot the player.

If the FLGS owner isn't up for it, or the players wont organize or behave... stop DMing there. You don't have put up with that nonsense.

 

[sheadunne]

Group dynamics dictate that unless the decision comes from the group, it will be more likely to result in negativity. Broach it as a suggestion for the group and let them decide. You're just another member of the group.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Group dynamics dictate that unless the decision comes from the group, it will be more likely to result in negativity. Broach it as a suggestion for the group and let them decide. You're just another member of the group.

And if they do not get/do it, then put your foot down. A game store should be pg-13.

 

[Diamond Cross]

Sorry, but anybody who gets upset and wants to silence people from cursing is a prude, regardless of what they say.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Sorry, but anybody who gets upset and wants to silence people from cursing is a prude, regardless of what they say.

Not really. OP notes that this is in a place of business where there are kids. That's a perfectly good reason to keep things PG-13. If the owner feels the group's behavior might drive off customers, then it's more than reasonable to rein in the group.

Making those kinds of calls is just part of running a business, and it's nice the OP is actually concerned enough to consider it could be a problem for the LGS. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with prudishness.

 

[sheadunne]

And if they do not get/do it, then put your foot down. A game store should be pg-13.

One should always respect the wishes of the venue in which you're gaming. But venues are known for allowing 'adult' games as well as PG-13 games, in addition to G games. Without knowing the nature of the venue, it's hard to gage. But in any situation, it's always good advice to get group buy-in rather than putting an iron fist on the table, especially if you want the game to continue and all players, including the DM/GM, to be having fun at the table.