Posting so I can find this later! Thanks for all the good info.

How did it suddenly become the ”It” thing? For decades you could walk into a community center or grocery store deli table area and find several tables of women playing.

Some people credit "Crazy Rich Asians." I think there are a few things --- a resurgence in games and clubs post-COVID, greater interest in Asian culture (esp food) and the glamorization of MJ with fancy sets and accessories.

I like it because it is challenging, social, and pretty. It also require full concentration, so that is in its own way a respite from the weight of the world.

I learned back in 2018 from a woman who taught all the ladies who played tennis and also went to the same synagogue. We played in person weekly until early 2020. It is a bit baffeling as to how/why the game has soared in popularity but Mtn's theories are as good as any.

I like it because it is challenging, social, and pretty. Me too! I also love the tactile nature of the game. I hope more of you can join us!

I learned to play Chinese mahjong. (still learning). ’ll check out the site. Thanks!

I grew up with a mom that played at least once a week. I can still hear the clicking of the tiles in the kitchen. Almost every Jewish person I know, their mom played. I never learned and haven't really had an oportunity. Maybe someday...

I started playing about 4 years ago - I initially took a beginner's class through the local college's adult learning initiative. Now I play twice a week (sometimes more) with a few overlapping groups. Like mtn and others, I love the competition, socialization / new friends that I have made, and creating pretty tablescapes. I started out with a plain basic set and now I have more tile sets, mats, tablecloths and accessories than I care to admit on a public forum! And new beautiful things are released every day...

Yesterday, my two mahjong 'besties' and I hosted "Camp Mahj" at an outdoor pavillion on our area lake. Potluck lunch, followed by 3 hours of play with 4 tables going. It was a beautiful day to be outside and we had a lot of fun. Leaning in to the theme, we hosts wore 'scout' costumes (cheap scarf / badge sash / beret ensembles from A*zon) and the tablecloths were forest green and white, etc.

In my area, the players who have been playing for years play with plain traditional tiles and eschew the newer fancier/more decorative tile sets. The newer players (including me) are more likely to buy in to the current mahjong madness!

Thanks Mtn for posting the info about the online sources.

Two of my friends signed up to learn MJ 2 years ago and then promised to teach the rest of our little group. Except they now play twice a week plus one night every other week and finally admitted that they didn't have time to start another group. I was surprised when they told me that their sessions can last 3 hours or more. So those of us who can't play or need a refresher will start our classes next week. In the meantime I sent them Mtn's links.

In the other thread I admitted to being a beginner. I‘ve mostly played with DD, my SIL (also just learning), and some of DD’s friends. DGD, DD and I played while DGD was visiting over the Labor Day weekend. I had my first MJ in our second game. I’ve managed to learn a lot, still need help, and am now about to start playing solo and one of the online games DD has used, ‘Mahjong 4 Friends’. I appreciate the suggestions here and look forward to a day when I can say I’m prepared to play with others.

I think mtn may be right about the interest rising after the movie. I actuallh played a little one weekend when I was in my mid-30’s and attended a famiky reunion. Some of the ’aunties’ were playing and offered to teach me. That obviously didn’t last with me, especially since I was a busy working mom, had no idea where to buy anything, and no one else I knew played.

Our church is starting an evening mahjong group for beginners, lol. The Episcochicks want more players 😎

I am waffling… I really do not have time for another hobby!

I had played in a regular mah jongg group for many (many, many) years, but that ended during covid. Last year I found the online game Mah Jongg for Fun. You can play up to 4 games a day for free. There are tutorials available too .

Recently someone in my neighborhood organized a Friday afternoon open play session in Wegmans which I've been attending. Players of all skill levels have been showing up to play. which makes it interesting. I;ve also taught my daughter, daughter-in-law, and my daughter's colleague to pllay in the last few months.

I inherited my MIL's set, but I also bought the Costco set for a great price, which is quite nice but is extremely heavy. And then my daughter found an animal themed set so we acquired that too along withh a mat. I think that's as trendy as I intend to get.