Jenn Lam (pictured above)
Marketing and brand-partnerships manager, Bedford-Stuyvesant
What is your experience playing mahjong?
My grandparents played the game pretty much every day that I’ve known them. So while I was growing up, at every family gathering the table and tiles came out. I was never really taught because I think in Chinese culture they’re a bit impatient, so they just have you sit on the side and absorb through osmosis. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I asked my parents to teach me formal strategy, but by that point, obviously I knew the game already. I specifically know how to play Hong Kong style.
How does Hong Kong–style mahjong differ from others?
I think American mahjong is really different because a new scorecard comes out every year, which is very American — you need to buy a new one to continue to play the game.
Freddy Escorbores
Front-desk agent, East Flatbush
Nancy Lau
Retiree, Riverdale
Jessica Zheng
Student, Staten Island
How did you pick your outfit?
I collect vintage qipaos. This one is from the 1950s. I never plan my outfits, but the next thing you know Mahjong Night is announced, and I’m like, It’s my sixth sense telling me to buy that. I stayed up for a couple of nights altering the dress and made it just in time.
Ruoyi Jiang
Founder and director, Lower East Side
Chengwei Dong
Model, Williamsburg
How did you hear about tonight?
My friend. I moved to New York from China in February to model. But I’m homesick. It’s hard to get jobs, and my English is not good so I don’t hang out much. I only know a few Chinese friends. I kind of want to go home. Tonight was enjoyable, though. I met two people.
Teaonna Boykins
Fashion designer, Crown Heights
Mimi Hong
Freelance photographer, Chinatown
Marie Van Eersel
Cultural programmer, Greenpoint
Mu Tien Liu
Stylist, Bushwick
Justin Teng
Store manager, Bushwick
Ka Yee Chan
Freelance event coordinator, Sunset Park
Helen Ng
Vice-president of investor relations, Upper West Side
Who did you come with?
My brother. We started playing last year for the first time, which is funny considering I’m 39 and he’s 41 and our parents have been playing, you know, our entire lives. Now, every time we go home, we always play. My dad is basically the master of mahjong, and he is not patient with me. He’s like, “Helen, if you can’t keep up, I’m not playing with you.”
Miko Tiu-Laurel
Artist and model, Upper West Side
Maria Francisco
Assistant general manager, Bushwick
Jill Li
Grants-management specialist, Soho
Caroline Chou
Student, Crown Heights
What do you like about the game?
My grandma’s been playing for 65 years, and seeing her skill, I was like, I wanna get to that level. When I put down a tile, she’s like, “Are you sure you want to do that?” She’s so sharp she knows what other tiles I have. I usually play in a house, so the first thing I thought when I walked in here was Oh, vibe.
Kathie Ahn
Therapist, Ridgewood
Hejran Darya
Conversation designer, Prospect Heights
Freddy Escorbores
Front-desk agent, East Flatbush
Nancy Lau
Retiree, Riverdale
Jessica Zheng
Student, Staten Island
How did you pick your outfit?
I collect vintage qipaos. This one is from the 1950s. I never plan my outfits, but the next thing you know Mahjong Night is announced, and I’m like, It’s my sixth sense telling me to buy that. I stayed up for a couple of nights altering the dress and made it just in time.
Ruoyi Jiang
Founder and director, Lower East Side
Chengwei Dong
Model, Williamsburg
How did you hear about tonight?
My friend. I moved to New York from China in February to model. But I’m homesick. It’s hard to get jobs, and my English is not good so I don’t hang out much. I only know a few Chinese friends. I kind of want to go home. Tonight was enjoyable, though. I met two people.
Teaonna Boykins
Fashion designer, Crown Heights
Mimi Hong
Freelance photographer, Chinatown
Marie Van Eersel
Cultural programmer, Greenpoint
Mu Tien Liu
Stylist, Bushwick
Justin Teng
Store manager, Bushwick
Ka Yee Chan
Freelance event coordinator, Sunset Park
Helen Ng
Vice-president of investor relations, Upper West Side
Who did you come with?
My brother. We started playing last year for the first time, which is funny considering I’m 39 and he’s 41 and our parents have been playing, you know, our entire lives. Now, every time we go home, we always play. My dad is basically the master of mahjong, and he is not patient with me. He’s like, “Helen, if you can’t keep up, I’m not playing with you.”
Miko Tiu-Laurel
Artist and model, Upper West Side
Maria Francisco
Assistant general manager, Bushwick
Jill Li
Grants-management specialist, Soho
Caroline Chou
Student, Crown Heights
What do you like about the game?
My grandma’s been playing for 65 years, and seeing her skill, I was like, I wanna get to that level. When I put down a tile, she’s like, “Are you sure you want to do that?” She’s so sharp she knows what other tiles I have. I usually play in a house, so the first thing I thought when I walked in here was Oh, vibe.
Kathie Ahn
Therapist, Ridgewood
Hejran Darya
Conversation designer, Prospect Heights
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