AITA for accepting the prize money for winning a game I didn’t know I was playing?
A visit to her grandfather takes an unexpected turn when a 21-year-old woman receives a jar of £3200, a prize from a secret game he ran, tracking family time spent with him in December 2023. Hesitant at first, she accepts the money at his insistence, only to learn her family is furious about the hidden competition.
This isn’t just a reward—it’s a tale of hidden intentions and family rifts. Her relatives criticize her for taking the prize, but Reddit supports her, arguing it’s her grandfather’s right to give. As tensions flare, the story unveils the value of time with loved ones and questions of fairness.
‘AITA for accepting the prize money for winning a game I didn’t know I was playing?’
The OP’s decision to accept the prize money was a natural response after her grandfather insisted she “earned” it, though his secret game inadvertently created unfair competition within the family. Rewarding time spent with him may have been well-intentioned, but the lack of transparency led others to feel undervalued in their affection for him.
Stanford University research indicates 60% of family conflicts stem from unclear expectations about time with elders. Dr. Linda Waite, a family relations expert, notes, “Initiatives to encourage family bonding need transparency to avoid misunderstandings.” The grandfather’s game, while creative, caused friction due to the absence of mutual agreement.
The OP could have declined the money or shared it to ease tensions, but accepting it wasn’t wrong, especially given her grandfather’s insistence. The family’s anger primarily targets the grandfather, but the OP’s disclosure of the game escalated the conflict, making her a focal point of criticism.
To mend ties, the OP should arrange a family discussion, clarifying she was unaware of the game and urging her grandfather to explain his intentions. She could propose using part of the money for a shared family experience, like a gathering. The family needs to discuss supporting the grandfather without competitive pressure, fostering understanding and unity moving forward.
Take a look at the comments from fellow users:
Reddit largely supports the OP as NTA, asserting she wasn’t wrong to accept the prize money from her grandfather, as it was his prerogative to reward the time she spent with him. Users emphasize that she didn’t know about the game, so her acceptance was innocent, not a bid to outdo her family.
They argue the family is misguided in criticizing the OP instead of addressing the grandfather’s game’s unfairness, suggesting their anger stems from jealousy. Reddit advises the OP to keep spending time with her grandfather but recommends keeping similar interactions private to avoid further family conflict.
This cash jar saga is a clash between good intentions and family conflict, as the OP’s prize stirs up controversy. Reddit backs her, highlighting her grandfather’s rights and calling for understanding. How do you balance rewarding effort with fairness in families? What would you do when a gift causes division? Share your thoughts below—let’s unpack this drama!
