Over the soothing clickety-clack of mahjong tiles, the Joy Luck Club’s Holiday Mahjong Social at Chinatown Storytelling Centre last Saturday was a fun opportunity to connect with some amazing people over a friendly game of mahjong. At six tables-strong, with authentic tiles (even a pink glittery Hello Kitty set!), and played a patient pace, everyone of all ages and experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned players, enjoyed the mahjong gathering. Mahjong-themed holiday arts and crafts entertained the kids. HK-style tea and treats by Saan Saan Café kept everyone’s tummies happy and the many must-have mahjong-themed gifts at Food Hung Curios made for perfect stocking stuffers.
The Joy Luck Club brings people together over a game of mahjong, providing opportunities for regular social interaction, business networking, and collaboration. Started in 2019 by four Vancouver women entrepreneurs: Stephanie Sang, CEO of Granted Consulting, Tania Lo, CEO of Tandem Innovation Group, Bonnie Foley-Wong, founder of Pique Ventures, and Julia Chung, co-founder and CEO of Spring Planning Inc., the Joy Luck Club is a community of business leaders that literally and metaphorically offers members “a seat at the table”.
The Joy Luck Club currently has 18 members and officially meets for mahjong once a month. Every member is proud to call themselves a mahjong Auntie. The club could potentially expand when admin and logistics are ironed out. Once a quarter, the club organizes mahjong social community events that are open to the public. It’s so hard to find three other people to play mahjong with, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next community mahjong social, scheduled for February 8th, 2025. Save the date!
I learned how to play mahjong over a seventeen years ago, when I first moved to Singapore, almost out of necessity, since everyone at work were avid players. Not knowing how to play would’ve probably been a career-limiting move. While not being able to read Chinese characters was a disadvantage at first, I picked up the game relatively quickly, thanks to “tuition fees”. It was not hardcore gambling. Just coffee money. My Singaporean friends did not slow the game down for beginners, nor did they condone gradual entry “chicken” games. Putting money on the table was definitely the fastest way to learn.
I’ve tried to bring the game home to Vancouver with me since moving back post-covid, by teaching mahjong to all my friends! I printed out cheat sheets and have a whole tutorial. And yes, I’ve taught my pre-teen kids to play. We’ve even adapted the game so that it can be played with three people instead of four! Mahjong is enjoyable not only because it is an exciting game of probability and chance, but also because of all the conversations that happen around the table! Lots of “talking cock”, a Singaporean phrase meaning friendly banter, is guaranteed at every mahjong game gathering. Getting exercise in while dry swimming, hearing the ASMR sound of clicking tiles, mastering the 18-tile double stack while catching up with friends, and enjoying the thrill of self-drawing the winning tile (or celebrating someone else’s luck!) are all part of the fun. We especially look forward to Chinese New Year, where mahjong is a daily activity. Perhaps this coming Chinese New Year I’ll finally achieve a 13-Wonders-hand win. Huat Ah!
Thank you, Chinatown Storytelling Centre, Joy Luck Club, and Talk Shop Media, for having us.
