When the Best Conflict Resolution Is Walking Away
Some tables can be saved with clever words and a cooler head. Others… well, the kindest thing you can do is leave.
I once played under a GM who overstepped in ways that made the entire table uncomfortable. When I couldn’t attend a game because my mother needed help, he insisted on speaking to her directly — even telling me to “put her on the phone.” Later, I learned I wasn’t the only player he treated this way.
No one else pushed back, so I did. His response was defensive and dismissive. I knew if I stayed, the tension would only grow. So I left. A friend soon reached out, saying he wasn’t enjoying the table either but had stayed out of obligation. I told him the truth: staying at a table where you’re unhappy is a waste of time.
Not every conflict needs mediation — especially when one or both sides are too stubborn or self-righteous to change. Respect isn’t a one-way street. If it’s clear the other party won’t meet you halfway, walking away can protect your enjoyment of the game and open the door to finding a table that actually fits you.
Sometimes, leaving is the healthiest choice you can make for yourself and the group.
Further reading from Mike’s Tavern:
