TOO EARLY FOR CLEAN LIVING

The view from Nob Hill toward the North East is rather beautiful, especially through foliage. But it was a dream, very likely influenced by blood pressure meds, that segued bafflingly from the landing of a restaurant in Chinatown where a mahjong game was in progress to an apartment at the upper level of the slope. Very spacious and sunny. My apartment mate would have loved the chambers assigned to her. As well as the faint smells of curry from elsewhere in the building.

There are very few Chinese who do not know how to play mahjong. My apartment mate is one of them, and I suspect both my landlady and my regular care physician are others.
I learned it from Filippinas in Los Angeles.

This comes to mind particularly because the current plans are to rip up Portsmouth Square and "improve" it, a project starting in a few months. Which will displace all the olds people playing gin rummy (in lieu of, and similar to mahjong) there for a year or two, then provide them with a lovely social hall where undoubtedly playing cards will be severely discouraged because we can't have that, and nickel stakes might be involved! And they'll quarrel and cuss as they do, and bring in a box of greasy take-out snacks, and what IS it with these old people why can't they behave properly, quietly acting dignified, colourful, and civilized?

Or in any case dress better, smile more, and be properly appreciative?

You haven't dealt with elderly Cantonese much, have you?
Games of chance are part of the program.
As are loud disputes.
And food.

Carefully supervised tai chi and art projects to keep their minds active do seem nice, and are sweet, but they'll rebell against that. They haven't lived this long to take well-meaning lectures and guidance from non-Canto fluent social workers kindly.

Don't be surprised to find cigarette butts in your clean space with all the no-smoking signs. As well as chicken boness, and a water kettle plugged into the nearest electrical outlet.

They won't like the civic art you put there either. There is NOTHING appealling about a child's picture poster telling theme to exercise more and avoid diabetes.

Grampa will be outside smoking some ciggies with his friends.
Smuggled-in no taxes paid luxury mainland brands.
It's what you do after snacking.
Pastries!


So anyhow, the proposed indoor space will have artistic displays colourfully showcasing Chinatown culture for the tourists, as well as well-behaved elderly people making a good impression, plus children being quiet in docented endeavors, all proper. The civic fathers (and mothers) will approve. This is what an ethnic community is supposed to be.

Not loud card games and Toishanese cusswords!



You know, the same old geezers I see in the waiting room at the clinic, I pass afterwards as they're lighting up on the way to the nearest bakery to further the cause of borderline diabetic living. Or heading to a dimsum place to cough over black bean and garlic spareribs and rice.

Before heading to a social club to play mahjong.
For several hours. With food to go.



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