Press "L" during Free Roam, scroll down to Online, click on it and change your "Playstyle" to "Defensive" by using arrow keys or d-pad. It will reduce incoming PvP damage to you severely provided you do not attack first. It takes 30 seconds to kick in for the first time.

Also, in the same menu turn off Social Networking so fewer people spawn around you

You're all set

a)

You can respond to a player's feud or challenge them to a feud yourself after they kill you then instead of teleporting to the battlefield you can just ride away, all the while wasting their time with the attacker being unable to deal any damage to you while waiting for you at the fight zone.

b)

you can parley with someone by holding default "e" again only after they kill you and it lasts for 10 minutes. Some people will still find ways to harass you after parley.

c)

you can feed them kills while not attacking them back and pressing charges every time resulting in them gaining a very very high red hostility level for many many hours depending on how many times they kill. (If you attack them back you lose the ability to press charges)
That can be very annoying because every time you die you teleport far away, there is no defense mode and people are free to attack you without any punishment.

RDO in itself is a great game. If you like winning (possibly in PvP) or grinding i.e restocking the trader, moonshiner to sell different moonshine, you enjoy collecting, doing various daily challenges, have fun with horses, or you enjoy showing off your abilities as bounty hunter, or even like tracking animals as naturalist. Over time you may accumulate a lot of wealth and despite occasional cheaters and connection issues, it is a really really amazing experience.

Please, have fun and enjoy and be well!