Maybe it's snobbery? They're only mahjong pieces if they come from Mahjong region of the Forest of Death. Otherwise they're just sparkling game tokens.
Yeah. He could have been 100% truthful when he said their daughter mocked him for his belly, and that she wasn't even the only one. And that a colleague of his is a fitness nut and suggested a new diet and exercises to shape up.
They pay rent. To Joe? Is he their landlord, or did they just take over the lease? If it's the former, I hope he gives back the money when they get married or something.
Or free labor. I notice they haven't talked of paying him to operate the bar. And just a few chapters ago they pointed out bartenders are paid peanuts.
It wouldn't be surprising if it turned out Uncle can go back and forth between the two worlds if he just asks the spirits. His character arc could be to realize he left women who loved him behind.
I don't really understand wanting to be a bartender either. I understand falling into it because you need a job, but who would want to quit a job to serve drinks?
And "delicious"? It's not like you even brew those drinks.