A Mexican woman who has lived in Shanghai for 12 years and teaches foreigners there how to play mahjong has trended on social media.
Over the past few years, the woman, identified as Carmen, has taught overseas students the traditional Chinese game every weekend in a restaurant in the city, the Shanghai Morning Post reported.
Many of the students do not speak fluent Chinese, but they understand the mahjong terms, according to a viral video about Carmen鈥檚 class.
They do not play the game for money. Carmen awards winners a slice of cake in the shape of a mahjong tile.
鈥淚t takes time to learn mahjong. I have many rules to explain because it is not easy to pick up,鈥 she was quoted as saying.
Her students are normally divided into groups, each one sitting at a square table. They adopt a learn-by-playing method.
鈥淚 need to be around to provide guidance,鈥 Carmen said.
鈥淚 really love mahjong because it is really an awesome way to distract your soul. If you have stress, you can chill and try to let it free.
鈥淵ou can play with friends and meet people as well. It helps to introduce you to people from around the world,鈥 she added.
Carmen鈥檚 full-time job is a basketball coach, teaching children as young as four years old. She received her master鈥檚 degree from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
With more foreigners travelling to China thanks to the country鈥檚 recently launched visa-free policy, many regard playing mahjong in a local parlour as a must-do activity.
In Shanghai, some mahjong venues display the rules of the game in multiple languages.
It is not uncommon for foreign celebrities to be hooked on the traditional pastime.
Last year, when NBA player Stephen Curry visited China, he and his teammates tried mahjong in southwestern Chengdu, which has been dubbed the country鈥檚 mahjong capital.
In an interview with American TV host Stephen Colbert years ago, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts said she relaxed by playing mahjong once a week with her friends.
Carmen鈥檚 mahjong class has captivated mainland social media.
鈥淚 have sniffed a business opportunity, teaching foreigners to play mahjong, ha,鈥 said one netizen.
While another wrote: 鈥淢ahjong is a traditional form of entertainment in China. It is our soft culture. I hope it can spread to more countries.鈥