The interview with the 27-year-old male working in Beijing provides insight into his experiences and challenges since moving to the city, the following paragraphs highlighting his motivations, struggles with connection, and coping mechanisms. This participant also shared his perspective on how comfort food helped him connect with his hometown and local community.
Motivation to Move: He moved to Beijing primarily for economic opportunities. Coming from a smaller city, he saw Beijing as a place where he could earn a higher salary, secure a stable job, and advance his career in a more competitive job market.
Sense of Connection: His connection to Beijing is mixed. On one hand, he feels connected due to the job opportunities, cultural diversity, and vibrant environment, which make him feel part of something bigger. However, the city’s massive size, impersonal nature, and high cost of living detract from this connection, making it sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating. Additionally, cultural differences within the same country contribute to a feeling of being an outsider.
Sense of Belonging: Establishing a sense of belonging has been challenging. The fast pace and large size of Beijing make it difficult to meet new people and form deep connections. Cultural and language differences also create barriers, contributing to feelings of isolation. Despite these challenges, he has slowly begun to feel more connected through community activities, hobbies, and maintaining relationships with colleagues.
Social Challenges: Socializing in Beijing has been difficult due to people’s focus on their careers and the logistical challenges of maintaining contact in a large city. The cultural gap, even within the same country, adds to these difficulties. He has tried to overcome these obstacles by joining interest-based groups and keeping in touch with colleagues outside of work, which has helped him start forming connections.
Emotional Challenges: He has faced significant emotional challenges, primarily feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially during weekends or after work when social plans are lacking. The high-pressure environment in Beijing, combined with the stress of adapting to a new city and its culture, has also led to anxiety and a sense of being out of place. He copes by focusing on self-care, staying active, and keeping in touch with family and friends back home.
Role of Comfort Food: Comfort food plays a crucial role in managing stress and emotional challenges. Familiar tastes and smells from home provide a sense of stability and grounding, especially during stressful times. For example, a simple bowl of noodle soup reminds him of family meals and helps soothe anxiety. Sharing comfort food with others also aids in building social connections and integrating into the community.
Food and Sense of Belonging: Food significantly contributes to his sense of belonging in Beijing. Engaging with local culinary traditions helps him feel more connected to the city and its culture. At the same time, finding and enjoying familiar foods from his hometown provides a comforting link to his roots. He balances exploring new local dishes with seeking out familiar foods, which helps him feel grounded and connected to both his past and present.
Interview transcript & consent form:
