Compromise
Benjamin Boas wrote a fantastic article for Mahjong News and it’s had me thinking…
(Don’t worry, I’m fully aware that I’m starting to sound like a mahjong version of Carrie Bradshaw!)
If you haven’t read the article, please take a read: http://www.mahjongnews.com/en/index.php/columns/46-our-guest/191-benjaminboas-column.html
“Compromise” is quite an apt word for this week as well considering the action we’ve seen in the forums. I think it’s something we’re going to need more of as increasing numbers of players join our throngs. All of them from different backgrounds and walks of life. Manners, patience, understanding and, of course, compromise are going to be needed to keep us together.
The problems of bringing diverse people together within a national setting is difficult enough, but Europe is even more interesting as we’re seeing so many players travel from so many different places to play mahjong together. This is going to pose some problems as despite what the EU would like us to believe, we are different. We’re culturally different and sometimes manners can differ. These differences are inevitably going to present themselves in the high stress environment of the mahjong table.
I dread to think sometimes how much I adhere to the stand-offish stereotype that Brits have. (I know how much the lack of a formal queue enrages me…) How do people perceive me because of that? Do people get the wrong impression of me because of the way I act or speak? For example, it’s been interesting for me to graduate from a good British handshake, to full European hug and kiss on the cheek. I still feel I probably have this awkwardness about it… But I’m getting there!
Anyway, I’m straying from the mahjong table. I believe that it illustrates my point – we have to try new things. Some of them we’ll like and we’ll be better people for them; Others, we won’t, and we’ll have to learn to be patient and compromise.
I’ve drifted away from Ben’s original intent of how being polite may win you the game. However, I think it can be applied just as well to European mahjong as a whole, and how our group of players can be victorious as a whole.
Ben also called us European’s “nicest and most polite in the world”. (Thanks, Ben! We love you too!)
Let’s be proud of this. It’s a much greater compliment than any comment on our skill could be!
Maintaining it will keep our tournaments fun, pleasant and inclusive. Let’s make the mahjong world envious of Europe!
