Player "Personalities" (CSC)

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: "Hey, can I have a little of your attention people? Kevin, finish painting the miniatures for the next game, OK? That was real good Mark, but I'm not certain I want to see how close you can put your roundhouse kick to my nose again tonight. Ron, Randy, if you need the stuff in those mere'magazines, you can get them out later. Uh, Lawrence, my wife was saving that gelatin dessert for a dinner party tomorrow. I'd prefer we used a miniature for the green slime instead"
Adventure gaming attracts—how shall we say it?—a unique type of person as a player. Anyone who prefers to spend a Friday night pretending to slay dragons and sling mighty magics is not the type who fits the so-caned "normal" mold. More often than not, these people, often the DM's friends, have other unusual interests, hobbies and personalities. Strong, unusual personalities tend to exert themselves in gaming and readily find ways to come into conflict with other strong, unusual personalities.
Try to keep the emphasis of the game on gaming. Privately encourage players to avoid discussing outside topics that will bring them into conflict. Be tolerant, even when pelted with dice Gust don't let it get out of hand). Be a peacemaker. Remember, these are friends.