I have lived in China for 23 years and now in Berlin for 5 years. In my eyes, Berlin is a peculiar and exotic world. Nevertheless, I also found a lot of Chinese things here.
What does "home" mean? In the past, I rarely missed home. It only took 3 hours from my hometown Nanjing to Hangzhou, where I studied. I had almost never left the Southeast before. Now, living in Berlin, I miss home more often.
Where we grow up shapes who we are. China consists of many different regions. For example, northerners are different from southerners. They have different temperaments. We believe that by fully understanding these regional differences, we can better communicate and understand each other. Occasionally, I meet Germans who are interested in China. They ask me exactly which city I come from. But for most people, my home is simply China. Similarly, Germans are simply Germans to Chinese people, whether they come from Hamburg, Frankfurt, or Munich. We Chinese accept this and simply consider ourselves Chinese. My Chinese friends in Germany come from different regions of China and Taiwan. They have their own language and way of life. However, when we meet, their regional identity takes a back seat. We speak Mandarin, cook, play and laugh together. These are casual nights.
Chopsticks or knife and fork? In Berlin, there are over 50 Chinese restaurants offering a variety of specialties. Especially on weekends, these restaurants are crowded with customers. Although German and foreign tourists also come to visit, most of the guests are Chinese. Some people come just for a meal, while others bring visiting family with the intention of providing them with something special. Others use the restaurant as a place to hang out with friends in the evening. Berlin’s Chinese food can be said to be food "exported" by Chinese for Chinese. The saying "food is our paradise" shows that food is one of the most important aspects of our culture. Our taste and cuisine are very distinctive. While we try to adapt to eating salad and German bread, it's challenging for us. Chopsticks or knife and fork? We've already made our choice.
However, there is a big difference between dining in a restaurant and eating at home. In a restaurant, one must behave appropriately, while at home, one can move freely and appear more relaxed. When we gather to cook together, the feeling of home naturally emerges.
