Got to get mah jong on.

July 18, 2007 8:13 AM

Any mahjong playing MeFites in Brooklyn/NYC? [more inside]
posted by nevercalm to MetaFilter Gatherings at 8:13 AM (10 comments total)

[moved the more inside] (And no, I don't mean the fun-but-not-really-mahjong solitaire computer game....) This past weekend, my mother-in-law's friend, a serious mahjong player with 40 years of experience, taught my wife and I how to play mahjong. Now I've got a serious jones, and a burning desire to beat her best friend once or twice the next time I visit. My problem? Well, it seems like the only people I can find to play are in their late 70s, and/or non-English-speaking Chinese who are playing at a level I can't even talk about. Then it occurred to me to query the MeFites. So here I am. I don't know my way around the game all that well, own no equipment, but am dying to play and learn as much as I can. My wife might be able to play, but this is her hectic season at work. Me? I have a sporadically busy schedule but have some days and most evenings available. Anyone in?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:19 AM on July 18, 2007

I'd be up for it. I sort of know how to play from watching my grandma, but would need some reminders.
posted by youcancallmeal at 10:27 AM on July 18, 2007

I'm hijacking! I'm not in NYC--I'm in SF-- but I have been wanting to learn to play mahjong. If any SF folks know how to play, have a group, or are interested in starting one, shoot me an e-mail.
posted by paddingtonb at 11:08 AM on July 18, 2007

Might be worth waiting a couple days and then starting your own thread, paddingtonb; I can't imagine many SF people are going to bother opening a thread specific to Brooklyn/NYC.
posted by hermitosis at 1:53 PM on July 18, 2007

Or that many in Brooklyn/NYC, apparently....
posted by nevercalm at 2:58 PM on July 18, 2007

Oh, yes! This used to be my family's entertainment of choice after our rowdy Russian dinner parties.

I haven't played in 4 years, though, so I might need a refresher (not to mention that I don't know the English words for any of that stuff). I live in Flatbush, SE of Prospect Park--send me an email if you want to get a group together.
posted by nasreddin at 3:10 PM on July 18, 2007

"This past weekend, my mother-in-law's friend, a serious mahjong player with 40 years of experience, taught my wife and I how to play mahjong."

posted by jessamyn

Your wife and mother in law? Jess, are you trying to tell us something?
posted by davy at 4:33 PM on July 18, 2007

davy, I moved it inside for the OP as I noted, please don't be obtuse. On the other hand, I live in Vermont.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:43 PM on July 18, 2007

jessamyn, that's what I figured, but you did put it somewhat vaguely -- just vaguely enough for me to venture a joke about it. Is my "sense of humor" so bad that people can't even tell when I'm trying to be funny and failing? "Coming Soon, the World's Worst Comic!"

For the record, I don't really care what your familial and/or affectional arrangements are. I figure if people want me to care about such details they'll tell me specially, mindful that it'll cost 'em extra.
posted by davy at 8:53 PM on July 18, 2007

Or that many in Brooklyn/NYC, apparently....


Hey, I'm actually plenty interested myself, but I don't know how to play at goddam all. If you folks get a game together I'd love to come kibbutz and try to pick it up-- email in profile.
posted by hermitosis at 6:02 AM on July 19, 2007