Jackie Chan provides miracle cure during a visit to the hospital

During my first visit to a Chinese hospital recently, I was thrilled to experience a cultural shock. After living in China for half a year, I was scared by some red spots that had spread all over my right hand, as if I had been working in a factory of dangerous chemicals for years without wearing any gloves. Maybe the itchy rash was connected to the humid and salty air of Shanghai. I needed to find out.

Before rushing to the hospital, I followed the rule No 1 for foreigners: "Best to bring a local friend for company."

Compared to hospitals in my home country, Germany, the Chinese polyclinic next to my campus appeared to be a small business venture. The patient rooms and the equipment seemed fine, while the plain white walls and friendly nurses are much the same all over the world.