Conversation always started by nearest character - players unhappy because not Tav.
Conversation always started by Tav character - players unhappy because not Not-Tav Party Face.
Indeed the only solution seems to be allowing a switch ...
Maybe "nearest Char" and "Always Tav" to "initiate dialogue" could be in the settings, just as one can set an "auto-switch to Tav at end of combat"?