A common experience that has shaped many expats view of life in China is the inevitable occasion when you are forced to go to the hospital or clinic for some ailment. For many foreigners in China it can be a hit or miss affair, but definitely one that produces some kind of tale. The negative experiences and feelings of expats towards Chinese hospitals was brokered recently by the group blog Sinocidal. Labeled as the successor to the deceased TalkTalkChina blog, this group doesn't allow fluffy political correctness, colorful language, decency or balanced viewpoints to get in the way of a good rant or rave. In fact, a lot of the pleasure that can be obtained from this site is the banter between the contributors and the commentators. For example, this gem from commenter Renao regarding the ever-handy IV drip:

• I've been to local hospitals on several occasions with junior running a fever, as soon as they say gua shui I'm out the door. Junior of course screams at the top of his lungs when he hears gua shui I mean what kid likes needles-as I was out of town and the better half had him doing daily drips for 5 days... big reason why Junior only wants to go to the hospital with Baba!

Not all recounted experiences on Sinocidal are polarizing, but nonetheless remain entertaining. Take for example the aftermath of Sinocidal personality LaoLaos miscalculation with Chinese fireworks:

• I went to the emergency room. The attendant wanted to see my hand which I had elevated. No f'ing way! I told him I was going to keep direct pressure on the damn thing, and hold it above my head until the Doctor showed up. Doc shows up, we do the x-rays. I told him to let me see. The middle finger from the last joint up looked like Chainsaw Chicken bones. I told him cut it off. He told me in Chinese he could probably save it. I told him it was my finger, and I wanted the end of it cut off. 10 days in Chinese hospital, during Spring Festival, next to an open window slowly grimacing and having "flashbacks" whenever the fireworks exploded. Amputation - 1,750 RMB Hospital Stay - 300 RMB Being able to drink whiskey, smoke, play poker and have my local barber shop come to my hospital room Priceless!

I believe blogger The Humanaught harnessed the greatest fear of any visitor in a strange land in his series of writings inspired by his girlfriend's medical emergency.

The truth is though, I've no f*cking clue what's going on. Other than a few vague, heavily blurred by translation, explanations "I don't even know what's wrong with her. I can't trust the doctor to make honest calls, based on the fact that he knows I'm a foreigner and may just be looking to suck in a few extra kuai while he's got the opportunity. One of the day's nurses put it directly when Maggie asked how much the operation would cost and she said, "Why do you care, your boyfriend is a laowai."

I've been impressed with the service of the medical staff I have dealt with in China, but also mindful that I wasn't in the middle of a major medical episode, unlike my friend's recent intestinal struggle with a questionable seafood dish. She was rushed to an "18th century hospital ward" in Hangzhou replete with "blood-dripping patients wandering the halls followed by a cleaner driving blood trails into the floor with a broom. She wasn't impressed by her surroundings, but was indeed treated appropriately and sent on her way. If you've ever been in a similar situation, take some comfort in that the bloggers of China can empathize with your situation.

Contact the author at: editor@cityweekend.com.cn