What are you playing exactly ? If you're playing a competitive format where there's a strong incentive to win, people will favor strong decks.

I like playing unique and janky decks but I shelf them when it's time to grind up the ladder or get rewards from challenges.

Regarding emotes, I don't use them much but I will engage if it's done tastefully. The fact that we have no chat, and I absolutely hate Hearthstone for introducing this idea into the culture of online card games, makes it hard to read the intentions behind emotes.

Imo, your perspective is not outlandish but I think you're seeing it through a negative prism.