From Valleynewslive · · 1m 10s
Mahjong nights break down barriers in Charlotte
A local host is making the century-old tile game accessible to everyone, not just country club members.
In brief
A local host is making the century-old tile game accessible to everyone, not just country club members. Mahjong is shedding its exclusive image as new hosts create welcoming spaces for players of all backgrounds to learn and connect. Originally reported by Valleynewslive.
Breaking mahjong's country club image
Allison Merriman hosts mahjong nights at Summit Coffee in Charlotte. She's working to shed the game's exclusive reputation.
“Mahjong definitely has this stigma of being, yeah, like a country club game, something that only a small group of people really partake in.”
Two years of lessons and events
For two years, Merriman has taught private lessons and hosted events. The game hooks competitive players once they learn it.
“If you're a gamer and you are somebody who likes games and you like that competitive nature, once you learn mahjong, it tends to just get its teeth into you.”
Millennials discover mahjong during COVID
The Chinese tile game arrived in the U.S. in the 1920s. Millennials like Merriman found it during pandemic isolation.
“Millennials, I think, loved going out, and then during COVID, we all stayed home a lot and we were very isolated, and we lost a lot.”
Brain benefits backed by research
The National Institutes of Health reports mahjong enhances cognitive abilities and short-term memory.
“And that's just like a nice little added bonus to it being a fun, good time.”
Monthly events in different neighborhoods
Merriman hosts events monthly across Charlotte neighborhoods. She wants to reach people who thought mahjong wasn't for them.
“Part of why I do these events out in different neighborhoods is I'm sort of hoping to latch onto some people that maybe felt like mahjong wasn't for them.”
Finding teachers in your community
Aging coach Katherine Ambrose believes many communities have mahjong teachers. Finding them can lead to new friendships.
“I suspect in a lot of communities there's people like her that are teaching.”
The main idea
Mahjong is shedding its exclusive image as new hosts create welcoming spaces for players of all backgrounds to learn and connect.
