The Golden Moment of Victory

In a thrilling victory, I recently triumphed over all my friends in the latest Mario Party game, and believe me, it wasn’t even close! Sure, there are elements of chance in the game, but I racked up roughly a million stars, while they ended up with absolutely zero. Flushed with triumph, I felt like a gaming deity among mere mortals.

A Lackluster Response

As I'm celebrating this monumental achievement, my phone buzzes with a text from a cherished family member over 50, asking how I’m doing. Eager to share my excitement, I reply, "I’m great! I just dominated my friends in the new Mario Party game. It was epic! How about you?"

But then, the unthinkable happens: I receive a solitary yellow thumbs-up emoji in response. What?! Everyone knows that a “thumbs-up” screams, “I don’t care about your Mario Party win!”

Questioning My Own Biases

Now, I can’t help but wonder if maybe the Mario franchise isn’t as universally relatable as I believed. Perhaps I am too emotionally invested in my gaming success—and my reactions are clouded by my own biases.

The Escalation

Determined to get a more meaningful reply, I decide to escalate: “PS: I just got promoted to junior regional manager!” (Okay, fine, I didn’t actually get promoted, but let’s just call it a sociological experiment for now!)

To my dismay, I receive another massive yellow thumbs-up. Seriously?

A Reflection on Generational Differences

Interestingly, when I see this family member in person, they often become emotional at even the most mundane sentimental moments, saying things like, “Look how you’ve grown!” amidst tears of nostalgia. While I appreciate their sentiments, it also feels a bit out of touch.

Realization strikes: perhaps the embarrassment and inauthenticity felt by the younger generation in public is mirrored in the older generations over text. It’s like they’re sending a message: "If that’s how you feel, you should say it to my face!"

Imagining the Reaction to Real Achievements

And here’s the kicker: if they react this way to a playful victory in a game, how would they respond to news about actual achievements like career advancements? I can already picture it—complete table-dancing madness at gatherings, reminiscent of a scene from *Bedknobs and Broomsticks*.

A Call to Celebrate Achievements