Roll for Charisma

RPGs should have a 'social stat' to roll, not because you should always roll for social interactions, but because you sometimes must roll for social interactions.

I acknowledge all counterarguments:

• This is a ROLE playing game.
• It's fun.
• We need to know how that player bribes the guard - rolling dice does not provide a satisfying answer.

...et c.

Everything ever said on the subject is entirely correct;

HOWEVER

The players have just made a 5-point plan to infiltrate the castle. It's devious and fun, and they're on 'point 3: looking presentable in front of the chef's mother'.

How do I, the GM, handle this? What should I say?

"Hello, deary"

Okay...and the player?

"Can I help with your bags?"

I'm already bored. How about you?

And what would she say once conversation begins? What do old ladies talk about? "Family", plausibly.

She chats about her family.

And what can the player respond with?

My character listens...and talks about their favourite cakes.

...yet another entirely plausible, but banal answer. We could flesh this conversation out better, but everyone wanted to see if their heist plan worked.

Sometimes it's better to just 'roll for Charisma'. Therefore, all RPGs need a 'social stat' of some kind.

QED