Mahj Matters
Meet Mahj MATers Mah Jongg products. While these aren't strictly Cool Tools, food is very intertwined with Mah Jongg, and this has been a passion project of Piper's. Here's some interesting information about why National Geographic calls Mah Jongg a "Global Phenomenon".
The article talks about the Chinese origins of the game and its popularity when it was brought to the US in the early 1920s by American businessman Joseph P. Babcock. "Dubbed 'the game of a hundred intelligences' and 'the gift of heaven,' the first imported mahjong sets quickly sold out at Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City." Then the scene in Crazy Rich Asians brought renewed popularity to the game.
But this insight from the article is the one I found the most Interesting: "The rhythms of mahjong are especially conducive to building community... Whereas the shuffling of cards in between poker games takes mere seconds, mahjong players must sit through extended pauses to reset tiles after every round. The interval of respite encourages conversation." So while the game takes concentration and is a great exercise for your mind, it also provides time and opportunity for good conversation and friendship, for time to snack and shmooze!
Never played Mah Jongg? Need a refresher? Here's the Mah Jongg...The Basics Brochure that we include with every Mahj MATters Mat we sell.
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Mahj MATters™ Mah Jongg Bundle (Mat and Shuffler Pair) - M22Better Together! Get a Mat and a Pair of Shufflers...and save a little money! It all began with a problem (as many things do): how do you easily and quickly determine who’s...
Mahj MATters™ Mah Jongg Shufflers (Pair) - M21Why It's Cool: An easy way to make sure your Mah Jongg tiles are well mixed between games.Mixing the Mah Jongg Tiles between games, so that the tiles of a played hand don’t remain together, is an important part of the game. But Mah Jongg Tiles can’t be shuffled...
Mahj MATters™ Mah Jongg Mats - M20Why It's Cool: Mah Jongg mats with both style and information--never ask "who's next?" again!It all began with a problem (as many things do): how do you easily and quickly determine who’s turn is next? Who gets the next tiles? Who pushes out their wall next? And who’s...
