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.

Just one thing irritated me: On the entrance wall there were some dubious pictures of small children with terrible skin diseases, before and after recovery. Above the pictures was a logo of the hospital and its slogan: "Your satisfaction is our goal to " Goal to what? Well, I would soon find out.

At the reception I dropped some yuan to get my "ticket" and then stated my personal data. My surname (Fabian) and age (22) seemed to be enough. My given name, insurance number or other information just played a minor role as all the nurses and doctors called me "Fabian 22".

The doctor was nice and polite, but his consultation was unexpected. He touched the allergic spots on my hand, which is one of the five principles of traditional Chinese medicine (next to asking, smelling, seeing and listening) and then came to a rather "Western" diagnosis: blood infusion.

The quick diagnosis surprised me, as did the fact that he couldn't tell the cause of my allergy. Like most Germans I am sometimes strict and critical. But I trusted the doctor completely.