Question about using skills

[pollochicken]

My friends and I are pretty new to D&D and are having a lot of fun, but I had a question about how some of the skills are supposed to be used, because it doesn't really seem like we're doing it right.

Sometimes when the party is doing something and they're presented with different options and some members want to do one thing and others the opposite, people will try to convince the other members to do stuff their way using bluff or diplomacy skills. Can you actually use skills like that against player characters, and if you are allowed, are there special rules for it? Or are we not supposed to be using the skills in that way and instead we're just supposed to decide on a course of action outside of the realm of the game?

[Belphanior]

Two things.

1. Using social-fu against fellow players is a classic problematic area. I think just about every gaming group has run into this problem. There is no One True Way to handle this, but the consensus on this board is "it's rude and doesn't enhance the fun for the 'victim' so don't do it".

2. D&D's social skills don't actually work the way you seem to think. Diplomacy makes people like you. Bluff makes people think you're telling the truth. Neither of these can make a person do as you tell them to. Do you ever disagree with something your friends, family, or significant other thinks? Even if you like them and they tell the truth? Same situation. The only way to force people along your way is with mind control magic. (And I don't advice using that against partymembers, it doesn't really generate a whole lot of trust.)


edit:
Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Most groups don't use social skills between PCs. They simply talk out their plans in-character. That doesn't mean your group is doing it wrong - it's all up to your group and how you want to handle it.

[A Letter From Prague]

The skills exist as a means to simulate interactions with fictional characters. The other players, not being fictional characters, do not need these skills to be interacted with.

[pollochicken]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Y'all pretty much confirmed what I thought, and hopefully this will make running future campaigns a little easier.