Hong Kong - JMSC - In an ever changing world mahjong is still revered by locals and now Westerners are getting in on the game. 

Nancy Luey has been teaching mahjong for close to ten years.

Nancy Luey, who has been teaching mahjong at the YWCA since 2000, said it's not just locals but Westerners who are enjoying the clicking and clacking of the mahjong tiles.

"Westerners have gained interest by watching their helpers play or by seeing buskers play on the street," she said.  "Although gambling is often associated with mahjong many times it's a social game that is good for family bonding.  You could just as easily gamble on snakes and ladders."

Westerners are using mahjong as another way to connect with their surroundings.  While many expats adapt quite easily to the eating and drinking culture of Hong Kong, connecting with local customs can be a bit more difficult.  That's one reason Tanya Bowersox signed up for lessons at the YWCA.

"I've always been a big fan of games and I figured while I'm in Hong Kong why not try to learn what the locals are playing," she said.  "It's a game you can play forever and it's a great way to meet people no matter how long you're in town."

Listen to a give and take with players from the YWCA

Many students have formed their own groups to play outside of class during the week and weekends.  A couple of bottles of wine eases any tension about individual skill levels.

Luey began her teaching career by offering her knowledge of the game to a few girlfriends.  After her initial success she placed an ad to teach others and ended up at the Repulse Bay Club for a couple of years.

While the classes at the YWCA have been successful the gambling stigma associated with the game almost caused the YWCA to shut down the class as it conflicted with the Christian values of the organization.

Agee Leung says the gambling aspect can be blown out of proportion.  She was born and raised in Hong Kong and has played the game from an early age. 

"I view it as more of a fun or social game.  I don't play it to gamble.  I always looked at it as a way to catch up on the gossip with my girlfriends," Leung said.

When asked what she thought about the Westerners learning the game she gave a chuckle and said she appreciated them making an effort to learn something that is probably quite foreign to them. 

Joomla on osCandy.comHoldiland crÂŽateur de pcsolutions web sur mesure