mummey.com

I love everything about Mahjong. It is a game developed long ago in a country far away so it is an open invitation to learn more fascinating history regarding all who came before us.

Until recently, I had only played Mahjong in my home with friends and family as we attempted to teach ourselves how to play. Out of respect for the history of the game, we focused on a very old and traditional Chinese Mahjong method of play. These games were animated and confusing but we got the hang of it. The wine helped, and these evenings of play were absolute fun.

With my limited knowledge of the game, I signed up for an American Mah Jongg class for beginners. The company hosting the event was stellar. They provided detailed instructions on what to expect, how to behave, specified open seating for all, supplies needed, and the time and place. What else could anyone possibly need? You show up, you learn, you have fun. That is it. Bam.

NOPE. If only life were that simple.

The event started off just right. I approached the check-in table and was greeted with all kinds of joy. The room was already happy. The wine was flowing, people were introducing themselves, and I found an empty seat at a table of welcoming attendees. And then it happened.

A very distracted and stressed attendee sat down in the last available seat at the table. She then jumped up, told us to save her seat, and ran off to get something from somewhere far away and out of sight. So what happened next? You guessed it. Another attendee approached the table and asked if the last seat was taken. A lady at the table told her someone was already using that seat. The rage was quiet, swift, and sprinkled upon our table like poison rock dust from afar for the remainder of the event.

Unfortunately, the person asking a group of people to save a seat for them at a social event with open seating has put everyone in a situation for which there is no peaceful resolution. Either the person making the seat saving request is angry for losing their seat, or the person requesting the open seat is left feeling slighted when they are turned away. When observing humans in the wild demanding such ridiculous things, know that the invitation to incite rage has already been extended, and there is no way out, so be ready for anything.