The Mahj Salon

Jenn and Cathy talk about the awkward side of Mahjong friendships: not getting invited, seeing the photos later, wondering whether you are too slow, too serious, too busy, or simply forgotten. They unpack hurt feelings, communication, advanced play, private games, and the power of starting your own table. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ See Cathy's mat is from Bird and Bamboo here! See the tiles we talked about here! Key Takeaways 1. Mahjong can bring back old social anxieties when you learn about a game, private group, or advanced session you were not invited to join. 2. Hurt feelings are real, but the reason for an exclusion may be limited space, a different pace of play, assumptions about someone’s availability, or a group seeking a specific style of game. 3. Direct but respectful communication can clear up misunderstandings, reduce resentment, and preserve friendships that might otherwise suffer in silence. 4. Organizers can better serve growing Mahjong communities by offering beginner, intermediate, advanced, and all-level sessions so players can choose the experience that fits them. 5. You do not need an invitation to belong. Find a table that works for you, or create one and invite the people you want to play with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Houston native Avery Herring of Herring House joins Jenn and Cathy to talk her new Houston-inspired Mahjong set. From blue herons and Heights street tiles to Houston landmarks, neighborhood pride, licensing headaches, and the challenge of making a city feel like home in 160 tiles. Get on the wait list for Avery's Houston tiles: https://www.herringhouse.co/houston-mahjong The racks we talked about: https://a.co/d/01iAOkHd Avery's mat comes from Oh My Mahjong: https://ohmymahjong.com/ Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ Key Takeaways 1. Avery Herring created Herring House after searching for a Houston Mahjong set and realizing the city did not have one that captured the details she wanted. 2. The set will feature Houston-inspired designs including blue herons, stars, cattails, Texas wildflowers, Heights mosaic street tiles, neighborhood references, and landmark-themed jokers. 3. Herring House had to balance creative ideas with readability, making sure the tiles feel specific to Houston while remaining easy to identify during play. 4. Licensing restrictions limited some obvious Houston references, especially NASA and other protected local icons, which pushed Avery and Clay to find more original design solutions. 5. Herring House plans to grow beyond tile sets with local hosting gifts, paper goods, and community-focused products designed for Houstonians and anyone with a Houston connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mahjong champion Dave Moussa and Nancy Dubner join Jenn and Cathy after Vegas to talk 700 points, defensive play, tournament nerves, and the dating requirement that started it all. Plus, East-seat advantages, table manners, and their Half Moon Bay tournaments. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ Key Takeaways 1. Dave’s championship run included a rough afternoon, a strong final day, and 700 total points. He focused on steady results rather than letting a bad stretch decide the rest of his tournament. 2. Defense mattered. Dave says he threw an opponent’s winning tile only once, costing him 10 points, compared with past tournaments where those penalties had cost him more than 100. 3. Dave learned Mahjong after Nancy made it a condition of dating her. More consistent play during COVID helped him develop, and tournaments eventually became a regular part of their travel together. 4. The group debates whether a fixed East seat creates an advantage because East players avoid facing one another. They discuss rotating everyone or holding a tournament specifically for Easts and past winners. 5. Nancy and Dave want their Half Moon Bay tournaments to give players a welcoming entry into competition. Their approach combines clear expectations, calling an organizer for disputes, and some grace for inexperienced players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Shemesh of The Mahj Lounge joins Jenn and Cathy to talk collectible Mahjong sets inspired by iconic decades. From peace signs and lava lamps to poodle skirts, disco dancers, and 80s Art Deco, Jamie shares how nostalgia, design, and careful research turn history into tiles. Connect with Jamie's Mahj Lounge: https://mymahjlounge.com/ Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ Key Takeaways 1. Jamie’s Play the Past collection turns iconic decades into collectible Mahjong sets, beginning with the bright, bold, and unmistakably groovy 1960s Far Out Edition.  2. The 1960s set includes peace-sign dots, lava-lamp one bams, guitar cracks, flower-power flowers, cool-cat jokers, and textured tile backs designed to feel as memorable as the fronts.  3. Jamie researches each decade carefully, using recognizable cultural details while avoiding designs that would make the tiles difficult to read during an actual game. 4. Copyright and trademark rules shape every set. Familiar images, logos, characters, and phrases may be unavailable without licensing, so original interpretation matters. 5. Upcoming sets include a 1950s collection with records, French fries, and retro diner energy, followed by a 1970s Disco Edition and an 80s set inspired by the era’s Miami-style Art Deco revival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn and Cathy talk about men in Mahjong after a male player was welcomed into an open group, then quietly left out. They discuss women-only games, public play, inclusion, golf-club double standards, and why a seat at the Mahjong table should not depend on gender. Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/ Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/ Tiles we talked about: Lightweight 3D-printed American-theme Mahjong tile set, including a dice holder and dice (https://www.litemahj.com/) Today's mat: Custom leather Mahjong mat embossed with “Moxie” (https://www.circlepleather.com/collections/mahjong-mats-accessories) Key Takeaways 1. More men are joining American Mahjong because the game offers strategy, competition, bluffing, social connection, and a lot more than the old stereotype of a ladies’ game. 2. Private groups can set their own boundaries, but excluding a player from an open public event after inviting them creates an uncomfortable and confusing experience. 3. Women-only games can provide a space for friendship, privacy, and conversation, especially in a private-home setting where everyone understands the group’s purpose. 4. Public Mahjong communities grow stronger when players welcome people with different backgrounds, personalities, genders, ages, and styles of play. 5. Choosing to sit with players who are different from you can expand your Mahjong skills, your perspective, and the community that makes the game worth playing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.