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.