Rule of Thumb for inappropriate behavior?

[Rerednaw]

Sorry to bring this up. This topic makes me all unsettled to bring up. Unfortunately my latest game makes this necessary. :(

Spoiler:

Player engages in liberal swearing/cursing rants (not in character), bullying and metagaming. He continually talks over everyone else (including the GM) orders everyone else to go by real name and not character name.

For me, kind of ruined the entire gaming session. In fact games like that are what me leave gaming entirely a while back. I play and run for fun. And that isn't.

Now I was a player, but there's a good chance he's going to end up in one of my games. As I was not the GM do I have to warn him first in my session if he continues to act that way? Or am I allowed to say "sorry sir, but based on your pattern of behavior I'm asking you to leave."

I was reading up on the Guide and it appears you have to offer repeated warnings before asking him to leave the table correct?

I spoke with the GM during and after the session privately expressing my concerns. I also asked him in public during the session to be nice. Some of the other players have played or GM'd for him before and apparently this behavior is typical.

What's your rule of thumb? How many chances do you give someone before asking them to leave?

Now if it was a home game he'd never be allowed back. But this isn't, this is Society Play and I want to make sure I get this right.

Thanks folks.

[Lormyr]

My understanding is that you cannot ban him from the society as a whole, nor can you ban him from a game day gathering. But that said, if you are running a table, you can certainly choose not to run for a given individual.

This is a hobby for fun, not a duty or job. If you do not enjoy playing with a given individual, don't play with them. Whether you choose to offer him another chance with the caution of what his behavior will lead to if he persists or just refuse him a seat at your particular table is entirely up to you. My only direct advice would be that if you are the only table and you do decide not to give him another chance, give the guy a heads up before he shows up blind if you can reach out to him.

[Jiggy]

As a GM, you can boot a disruptive player from the table.
As a player, you could ask the disruptive player directly to stop the disruptive behavior. Alternatively/additionally, you could ask for a break and then take the GM aside and voice your concerns, reminding them of their ability to boot the player if need be.

[Gwen Smith]

From a VL perspective, I think the biggest problem is the cursing. Overall, PFS public games are supposed to be PG-13. In our area, we have had several regular players in their early teens, and we occasionally get players as young as 9 or 10. In this situation, loud, repeated cursing rants are not allowed at all, and the coordinator for the game day would certainly give the player a warning. It's also important to remember that this kind of thing can negatively impact the venue: even if we don't have kids at out tables, the stores almost always have parents and with their kids playing other games or just shopping.

In our Sunday afternoon venue, I'd give the player one warning. If there was no improvement, I'd ask the player to pick a different game day and recommend some venues where we have a more appropriate crowd.

[Bbauzh ap Aghauzh]

Game Day coordinators have every right to disinvite such individuals from attending their game day. You can invite them to start up their own game day.

These game day coordinators or store coordinators do not need to be venture-officers to disinvite someone who is disruptive.

[Lamontius]

needs more informations
what did the GM of the session do in response to the behavior?
what did the organizer of the event do in response to the behavior?
was a VL or VC consulted about this player's repeated behavior?
has the player been told their behavior needs to be corrected in no uncertain terms?
if so, what was the player's response?

[Jason S]

Your game day coordinator needs to step up, take him aside (ideally privately), give him ONE warning, and if he wants to be like that, kick him from the game day for at least a few months.

If you don't have a coordinator and the store's owner is hands off, all of the GMs need to get together and be a united front.

[Sir_Wulf]

Like any other group, PFS events have their share of guys who just aren't ready for prime time. When you're faced with such an individual, you're entirely in your rights to require appropriate behavior from them.

You may wish to tell the organizer that you will not play at the same table as the problem player until he moderates his behavior. If there are others who feel the same way, get them aboard as well.

When addressing issues with other players, specifically state the time, place, and manner of the offensive behavior. "During the scenario's opening fight, JoeBob used profanity six different times despite my request that he stop. He also repeatedly cut me off so he could tell the GM what my character was doing." That keeps the problem player from claiming you're exaggerating or misrepresenting your concerns.

[Mattastrophic]

Hey guys,

I've referenced this thread, and somewhat responded to it, in another thread, so I thought it would be best to make a note of that.

-Matt

[Relixander]

I can, will, and have banned players from my events for inappropriate behavior.
I have never done it lightly or on a first offense, I always discuss whats going to happen with the player before any action is taken. Hoping they correct the issues on their own.
Always give them a chance to correct their behavior, which means you have to have a discussion with them about their behavior...

[GM Lamplighter]

As an event coordinator, it's my job to keep 5+ tables of players and GMs happy, and sometimes that's more important than noe person's right to free speech or jerkish behaviour. If there's a player no one wants to play with, for whatever behavioral reason (or other reason - I just had the "shower talk" with a regular guy who is unacquainted with the basics of hygiene) it is a problem, and the coordinator needs to get involved. I recommend two things, though: do so lightly, in private, with an option to change behaviour before being uninvited; and clear it with the venue owner first.

[Akeela Valerian, the Wolf]

Quote:

RULE OF THUMB: It is often claimed that the term's etymological origin lies in a law that limited the maximum thickness of a stick with which it was permissible for a man to beat his wife.

I say do it, but he should get a warning first.