MAH JONGG, TRAVEL AND FRIENDSHIP

I remember my mother having weekly Mah Jongg games that rotated among the players’ homes. When it was her turn to host, she put out lots of yummy snacks, and I watched the women laughing and intermittently yelling, “Mah Jongg.” I went back to my room to finish reading a Nancy Drew mystery. 

They say that we often turn into our mothers when we reach a certain age, which may have happened to me. Not long ago, looking for a way to connect with people in my community, I signed up for a beginner’s Mah Jongg course at our local library. I learned the tiles, the basic rules, and how to read the card, but didn’t have much experience playing the game.

I missed the last of the course’s six sessions because we had planned to set sail on an 11-night Regent Seven Seas cruise that week. When I read through the ship’s onboard activities, I was surprised to discover that the line offered open play in the ship’s Game Room. 

There were many reasons not to go there. I lacked confidence in my ability to play, didn’t know how I would feel playing with strangers, and didn’t want to miss out on other onboard activities.

But I bit the bullet and quickly became addicted to Mah Jongg, returning whenever I could find other players. The Game Room was stocked with several sets, had a supply of current cards, and was filled with people happy to welcome another player. 

Playing Mah Jongg at sea not only improved my game but was also one of the most enjoyable parts of our cruise. Although introverted by nature, I met people on the ship, which motivated me to look for more opportunities to play the game—both at home and while traveling.

Mah Jongg: You Don’t Have To Be Chinese or Jewish

The game’s roots go back to China in the mid- to late 1800s and crossed the Atlantic in the 1920s. After a brief period of popularity among wealthy women, like the Vanderbilts, during the Gilded Age, it experienced its first resurgence after World War II (in the 50s and 60s) , especially among Jewish women. It gave them a chance to connect with like-minded people in their neighborhoods.

In recent years, the popularity of the game has grown exponentially, reaching a much broader group of players of different ethnicities, ages, and interests.

One example of its reach:

“…an Instagram influencer I follow—a woman in her 30s with nearly 600,000 Instagram followers who is not Jewish or Chinese and who lives in Houston and usually posts about fancy candles, Alo Yoga pants, trendy sneakers and melatonin gummies” posted that dhe was looking for a Mah Jongg set for Christmas,” wrote Daci Platt in Kveller.

I soon discovered that two of my empty-nester best friends, one in Charleston, South Carolina, and another in Piermont, New York, had also taken up play. One said that her daughter-in-law played regularly to get out of the house and have me-time with friends.

When I Googled “Mah Jongg” and the name of my county (Westchester), I found games that were sponsored days and evenings in libraries, adult education programs, and community centers.

Have Mah Jongg Card, Will Travel

After the cruise, we traveled to The Dunlin, an Auberge Resort on Johns Island (South Carolina). I don’t know why it caught me by surprise but even at this elegant resort, Mah Jongg was offered as “an experience.” 

Lessons and free play were offered on alternating weeks in the Willet Room, the charming lobby bar. A Mah Jongg cocktail was included with the cost of the lesson and acted as a social lubricant among strangers. My stay at the resort was on a free play week. During several games, I had the chance to meet other guests and locals from nearby communities.

I later read that the game was booming in places like Tallahassee, Baton Rouge, and Sonoma.

Where Travelers Can Play Mah Jongg

There are many opportunities to play Mah Jongg when you travel.  These include:

1-Playing On A Cruise Ship

Although they may not be as well-stocked as the Regent one with multiple sets and cards, many cruise lines offer games, and most have at least one set.

Cruise Critic suggests signing up on their roll call message board to identify other players on your sailing. You can also take a peek at the Game Room and see if there are players there.

2- Taking A Themed Cruise

Several tour companies, like CrakYourBags, offer themed Mah Jongg cruises. Travel agents/advisors can help you find them, too. 

3- Designing A Vacation Around A Tournament

Mah Jongg tournaments are held across the country and internationally. Because participants already have a shared interest, finding new friends is easy. DestinationMahJongg and MahJonggMasters are two websites that catalog many of these opportunities.

4- Bringing Your Tribe

If you travel with friends or relatives who like the game, you can play Mah Jongg whenever you have downtime. All you need are a couple of essentials.

Packing The Essentials for Mah Jongg

#1 – The Mah Jongg Card

The one essential thing to have with you is a current Mah Jongg card. Sold by the National Mah Jongg League, the card changes yearly, each April. 

#2 – A Travel Mah Jongg Set

With more than 150 tiles and four racks, Mah Jongg sets typically weigh between 8.5 and 13.5 pounds, so travel sets that are smaller and lighter are an elegant solution.

Mah Jongg sets have become more whimsical since the classic yellow bakelite tiles used by my mom. Now they come in beautiful colors and varied designs that add personality to the game.

Two passionate players, Meredith and Robin, created Bam Bird Boutique as a source for games, tiles, accessories and home decor. They sell bespoke classic sets as well as travel sets.

The woman-owned company’s East Meets West Travel Set bundles everything you need to play the game while traveling: A set of acrylic tiles, a neoprene playing mat, a bag to hold and mix the tiles, two dice, four racks and one pusher. The set only weighs two pounds.

Less elegant travel sets are also available on Amazon. Whatever you choose, be sure to check the weight.

The Social Rewards of Travel Mah Jongg

If you’re shy, knowing the game and traveling with your Mah Jongg card and set can help you meet fellow travelers and enjoy friendly, stimulating competition. It’s like having a “wingman” to break the ice.

And if you become seriously addicted, which can happen to anyone, and can’t find fellow players, you can always play the game virtually online.

Do you play Mah Jongg? Where do you play? Have you made friends through the game? Add your comments below.

This article originally appeared on MoreTimeToTravel.

The post Mah Jongg, Travel and Friendship appeared first on The Friendship Blog.

2025-04-17T23:43:19Z