You Don't Talk Shop at the Dinner Table

[Nikroecyst]

In my group the players come from verying "social classes" and not every one gets along. To keep things civil I have a house rule. "You don't talk shop at the table." This means we don't talk about two things that pertain to the outside world; Religion, and Politics. I find that most of the arguements at the table begin with heated debates about either of these two and sometimes escelates into arguements, bickering, and fighting.

So my question is this: Does anyone else have problems like this? Or, once again, is it just me?

 

[GeorgeFields]

The only discussion I've ever had to ban at the gaming table was EverQuest.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Religion used to be banned unless someone was asking a legititmate question. Now it's pretty much ok so long as your not preaching at someone.
Politics usually cause an argument. We have two Liberals in the group while the rest are very conservative (Not neceessarily Democrate or Republican). But that talk is Ok so long as it's not during actual game play, but occassionally someone has to open their big mouths.

 

[Piratecat]

It's a mini version of EN World!

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Everyone in my group seems apathetic towards "big" issues like these. We only really talk about important stuff like TV shows, computer games and other inane topics. The war in Iraq has come up a few times but only because one of the guys in the group used to be in the Navy. It was more about where he went and what sorts of things he saw in the navy though.

My group would rather just talk crap than debate the meaning of life. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing I don't know!

Olaf the Stout

 

[theredrobedwizard]

The only discussion I've ever had to ban at the gaming table was EverQuest World of Warcraft.

What he said, sorta. My players are rather polite, and don't bring up religion or politics around anyone, really. One too many shouting matches in various places.

-TRRW

 

[Rabelais]

I made a mistake of TELLING another player that his political views were immature and ridiculous, instead of just thinking it. The guy is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do... but you don't play D&D as long as I have, and not learn a thing or two about bravery.

 

[Crothian]

I want that except for computers and Warcraft!!

 

[Aaron L]

Everyone I play with has the same political and religious views and are friends outside of gaming, and I wouldn't want to game with them otherwise.

 

[Shemeska]

I wasn't allowed to talk about my research back when my monday mornings would routinely have ten lbs of intestines in a cooler waiting for me around 9am where I work.

In general we tend to avoid religion and politics, because we have a decent spread of both of those topics in our group makeup, Religion: (a pair of semi-lapsed catholics, two protestants, an agnostic and a wiccan), Politics: (two centrists, a moderate conservative, a right libertarian, a left libertarian, and a socialist verging on communist). It's best to avoid any points of contention so we remain friends and don't alienate anyone over some minor point of doctrine or ideology.