This has probably been asked before somewhere and a little weird but want thoughts on the topic. I play a small local game with a group of older guys, all recreationals and they obviously are there just to play some cards and have a good time. We always play a small tourny and then some holdem/plo cash after it. My question is I always get 1st-3rd in the tourny and then always make money in the cash game. Everyone still seems to enjoy having me around because im the young crazy kid that brings a little action but I almost feel as if I need to purposely lose sometimes and give a little back or maybe not push the action and extract max value at times. Is that a normal feeling to have or maybe a bit silly? Curious to see if others have been in this spot and how you dealt with it.

"I don't get it fellows. I always get hit with the deck when I play with you guys. I lose everywhere else I play."

then

"I'll get the next round guys"

then

[keep raking it in with no remorse]

As long as you're a pleasure to be around and win with class then keep on the upswing.

i like your style

1. Be an action player-If everyone is playing loose and fun, and you are playing like a nit and not giving action, people will grow tired of you. Play big, play splashy. If it happens that you are on the better side of things more frequently, no one will care as long as you don't bog the game
2. Be good company. Bring food, bring booze, tell jokes, tell good stories. NEVER tell poker stories, or talk strat.
3. Don't win too much or all the time. Have bad sessions, don't always extract max value. Remember, you can slaughter a lamb once, but they can be shorn over and over.

If they are older, and this is small stakes, there is a good chance that the money means little to them. Make the game fun, never make them feel bad about how they play, and never make it obvious that you know you are beating the game