Life / Competitive joy
Want the win. Keep the warmth.
Friendly competition is one of the pleasures of Mah Jongg. You can care about the hand, notice a good move, and still make a beginner glad she sat down. Those things belong together.
Play the hand in front of you.
Compete with attention, not with drama. A hard moment does not need a hard face.
Applaud a good move.
When someone makes a clever call, let her have it. Admiration is not the opposite of competitiveness.
Make a clean reset.
After a rough hand, clear the tiles, take a sip of water, and return to the room. The next hand deserves a fresh start.
The table rule
Be serious about the game. Be gentle with the people playing it.