Roots and Wings

Tianwa, born and grew up in China, living and working in Germany, Rabea Maria Glotz, a German national long resident in China, recount their stories of encounters with cultural differences between East and West in Germany and China. With an attitude that is candid, humorous, nuanced, objective, and open, they discuss differences regarding marriage, friendship, society, education, interpersonal relations, and the human life cycle, helping us to enhance mutual understanding.

Whilst human experiences are diverse, they are all connected by some common threads.Delving into the world of an unknown culture, misunderstandings can lead to new discoveries, and the strange can become familiar.Culture shapes not only the way we view the world, but also the way we view ourselves.

In an era where global mobility is commonplace and cross-cultural communication has become part of daily life, this book is not merely a collection of stories about cultural differences; it is a reflection on identity, belonging, and the human capacity to adapt and forge connections. Whether or not one has experience of cross-cultural exchange between China and the West, this book opens a window to an experience that is both deeply personal and increasingly common in today's interconnected world. In any case, we will gain a new understanding of the complexity of culture and the resilience of the human spirit.

Since we are here, let us make the best of it.