# Why are there more and more mahjong parlors now? The self-reflection of an urban youth
In this fast-paced city, I, Li Ming, an ordinary office worker in my early 30s, shuttle through the reinforced concrete jungle every day, living a life of two points and one line. Home has become the only harbor where I can relax; The company, on the other hand, is a real battlefield that I have to face. However, in such a seemingly monotonous world, I have found an increasingly common phenomenon - the rise of mahjong parlors. They have sprung up in every corner of the city, and not only the elderly love to visit, but also many young people like me have begun to frequent. What kind of stories and emotions are hidden behind this?
## My Routine and Transformation
My name is Li Ming, I am 32 years old, and my home is in an old building in the suburbs. Both parents are retired workers, and their lives are simple and unpretentious. After graduating from university, I stayed in this city full of opportunities and challenges and became an IT engineer. Every day is hectic and boring, and I often feel physically and mentally exhausted in the face of endless code and meetings. When I get home, in addition to eating and sleeping, I continue to work overtime on the computer or swipe my mobile phone, and my life seems to have lost its color.
Until one time, by chance, I was dragged by a colleague to a newly opened mahjong parlor. As soon as you enter the door, you will be attracted by the lively atmosphere that you have not seen for a long time. People sat together, smiling or frowning, but everyone's face was filled with an indescribable sense of relaxation and happiness. At that moment, I felt as if I had found a safe haven from the hustle and bustle of the city.
## The magic of mahjong parlors
Since then, I have started to frequent this mahjong parlor. Here, I met all kinds of people: there were elderly people who were retired at home, and they enjoyed the pleasures of their old age; There are office workers like me, looking for a moment of peace and release at the poker table; There are also those who make a living from mahjong, and they may have their own stories and bitterness.
When night falls, the mahjong parlor becomes our "little society". Here, there is no distinction between superiors and subordinates, no performance pressure, only pure entertainment and communication. We share each other's daily chores, complain about unsatisfactory work, and even occasionally talk about ideals and futures. At that moment, I felt more relaxed and at ease than I had ever felt before.
## The thinking behind it
However, as time went on, I also began to think about the reasons behind the increasing phenomenon of mahjong parlors. Perhaps, this is exactly the desire and demand of modern urbanites. In this fast-paced, high-stress society, we are all busy with life, but we often neglect the inner voice and emotional communication. The emergence of mahjong parlors just fills this gap.
It's not just a place to play cards, it's a platform for emotional exchange. Here, we can forget our troubles for a while and build deep friendships with like-minded people; You can also take this opportunity to reflect on your life and work, and find new directions and motivations. More importantly, it reminds us that in addition to the hectic and stressful situation, there is also a quiet sky of our own.
## My changes
After this period of mahjong parlor life, I have changed a lot. I was no longer the workaholic who only knew how to keep my head down at work, but I learned how to balance work and life. I've started to focus on communicating with my family and friends, and I've made time to do things I love. More importantly, I learned how to face pressure and challenges and meet each tomorrow with a more positive attitude.
## Conclusion
So, don't be surprised or puzzled when you see more and more mahjong parlors popping up in all corners of the city. This is actually a manifestation of the inner needs of modern urbanites. In this competitive and stressful society, we all need a place where we can relax and release stress. And the mahjong parlor is such a magical existence. It allows us to find our own little truth in addition to being busy and tired# Why are there more and more mahjong parlors now? —— Lao Li's "card" game life
In this fast-paced era, every corner of the city tells the story of change. And I, as an editor of Toutiao, want to take you into the story of Lao Li today. Lao Li, an ordinary person in his sixties, his life trajectory may be able to reveal the warmth and helplessness behind the phenomenon of "why there are more and more mahjong parlors now".
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**Title**: The years in front of the mahjong table are quiet - Lao Li's "card" game life
**Description**: In this era of digital flooding, why are mahjong parlors thriving? Let's follow in the footsteps of Lao Li, walk into those brightly lit nights, listen to the laughter between him and his players, and feel the warmth and stories flowing at the poker table.
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Lao Li, 56 years old, was an ordinary worker in the factory before he retired. His wife died of illness at an early age, leaving him and his daughter to rely on each other. After graduating from college, her daughter married away from home, and Lao Li was the only one left in the family to guard the old house full of memories. At first, retirement life was a long torment for Lao Li, in addition to eating and sleeping every day, he was in a daze at the TV. It wasn't until one day, when he accidentally walked into the mahjong parlor on the corner of the street, that everything quietly changed.
The moment he walked into the mahjong parlor, Lao Li seemed to have traveled through time and space, returning to the hustle and bustle of his youth. There is no intrigue in the workplace, no pressure of life, only familiar faces and bursts of hearty laughter. Lao Li quickly integrated into the group and became a regular visitor at the mahjong table.
"Lao Li, how is your luck today?" Every time Lao Li entered the door, there were always a few old friends who greeted him warmly. Lao Li responded with a smile, his heart warm. For him, the mahjong parlor is not only a place to pass the time, but also a harbor to find a sense of belonging and feel the fireworks in the world. Here, he can talk about the past with his peers and share the bits and pieces of life, and the long-lost intimacy makes him cherish it.
However, as time went on, Lao Li also found that there were more and more "empty nesters" like him in mahjong parlors. Many of them choose to come to mahjong parlors to find solace because their children are working outside the home, their wives have passed away, or they are physically incapacitated. Here, they find someone to talk to, a partner to share their joys and sorrows. Mahjong has become a bridge for them to connect with each other's emotions, and it has also become an indispensable part of their later life.
Lao Li remembered that once, because of a cold and fever, he didn't go to the mahjong parlor for several days. When he stepped into it for the first time after recovering from his illness, several old friends immediately surrounded him and asked him about his physical condition. At that moment, Lao Li's eyes moistened. He realized that although these friends were not blood relatives, their place in his heart had long gone beyond the category of ordinary friends.
"Lao Li, you have to take care of your body! Without you, our mahjong table would be no longer lively! An old friend said half-jokingly, but Lao Li could hear the sincerity and concern. He secretly made up his mind to cherish this hard-won friendship even more, and to cherish every moment spent in the mahjong parlor even more.
As he grew older, Lao Li felt more and more the preciousness of time. He began to cherish every moment with his teammates even more, whether he won or lost, he was able to deal with it calmly. Because he knows that these seemingly ordinary days are the most valuable wealth in his later life.
Today, Lao Li is accustomed to reporting to the mahjong parlor every afternoon. For him, the mahjong parlor is not only a place of entertainment, but also a habitat for the soul. Here, he can temporarily forget the troubles and loneliness of life, and feel the warmth and care from his peers. Perhaps, this is why there are more and more mahjong parlors nowadays – in this fast-paced era, people are eager to find a place of peace and tranquility of their own, and mahjong parlors meet this need.
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Through Lao Li's story, we may be able to more deeply understand the social reality and humanistic emotions behind the phenomenon of "why there are more and more mahjong parlors now". In this uncertain world, mahjong parlors have become an important place for many elderly people to find a sense of belonging and alleviate loneliness. It has witnessed the laughter and tears of countless people, and also carries too many memories of friendship, family affection and years. While enjoying the convenience brought by scientific and technological progress, let's not forget to pay attention to those elderly people who need companionship and care, so that their old age can also be full of warmth and happiness.