Mahjong culture

Mahjong is a strategy-based title game developed during the Qing dynasty in China^[1] and has since spread worldwide. The game has a long history and significance in many countries particularly in Asia. Places like China and Japan has especially strong cultural ties to the game. In China, the game has evolved to represent peace and friendship. Inviting someone to a game of Mahjong is almost synonymous with friendship. Expensive Mahjong sets can be seen as a status symbol and are a source of pride among Chinese families.

People playing Mahjong in the streets of Beijing near the Sanyuan Bridge

Hong Kong[]

In Hong Kong:

• During a Chinese wedding banquet, guests play Mahjong during the waiting time.
• A count-down Mahjong before the Chinese New Year or the New Year is a typical practice for many Hong Kong families.
• While most people have a Mahjong set at home, most Chinese restaurants offer sets of Mahjong equipment for their customers.
• Officially, casinos are illegal in Hong Kong. However, there are legal Mahjong schools, where gamblers can play Mahjong.
• The elderly are encouraged to play Mahjong as brain exercise.
• To invite a person to a Mahjong game is an indication of friendliness in Chinese Culture.

However, Mahjong games also create problems. Addiction to Mahjong is a common type of problem gambling. Mahjong is also a favourite medium for bribery - the person giving the bribe will intentionally lose large sums of money to the person being bribed. Recent studies also suggest Mahjong can cause epilepsy^[2]

See also[]

• Gambling in Hong Kong
• Mahjong

References[]

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