Pinkies Up!

Agh! Mahjong has a boatload of wack-a-doodle rules and now you’re telling me there’s Mahjong Manners or etiquette?! Why???

Well Virginia, it’s because every game has them. Mostly, they’re so much a part of the game that we don’t think of them as separate rules. They’re all commonsense like being quiet while someone else is lining up their putt. Or wiping down the equipment at the gym when you’re done (please!). Or not bending, scrunching, or otherwise mutilating the cards when you’re playing poker. Pretty basic stuff.

Mahjong has bits of etiquette that are fairly universal. The first and foremost is the Joker Swap. When you are lucky enough to draw a tile that can be exchanged for someone else’s exposed Joker you might be tempted to grab that Joker in your excitement. Don’t! Offer the tile to the other player, and wait for them to hand you the Joker. Picture an up tight schoolmarm with pursed lips waggling a finger at you, “We must not touch other people’s tiles!”. A little over the top, but you get the idea.

To be fair, some groups really don’t care. But in most, it’s considered bad form to help yourself to someone else’s tile, even when you’re entitled to it. So just be conscious of the group you’re playing with and their rules.

And then we have our ubiquitous phones. Some of us are glued to them, can’t function without them, and check them incessantly. But Mahjong is a well earned break from the world, and time with your besties!  When you play, give them your attention. Turn off your phone and Put. It. Away. Silencing is not really enough. The exception is if you’re waiting for a truly important call. Like from George Clooney. But then, you *must* put your phone on speaker so everyone can hear. 

Lastly, there’s the issue of talking. What a controversy! Some groups chatter away while they play. Most do not. Typically, you’ll have minor game related talking during play. Then between games when tiles are being mixed and walls built that’s when the discussion of the “Great British Baking Show” happens. And it stops once the deal is done and Charleston begins. There’s an ebb and flow to conversation that coordinates with the game. If you’re playing with new people your best move is to ask what they prefer. Crazy, right?! 

Just like not getting Cheetos dust on the tiles, or drumming your fingers relentlessly on the table, any other rules are simply the rules of decent behavior. Do your mamma proud.