I really hate to rag on the Asian way of life, really I do. But one thing that has caught my curiosity (putting it mildly), is the way doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals are set-up to make you feel as humiliated as possible.
I suppose it comes from the western values of privacy and dignity, but, with the exception of dentists, I think even the Taiwanese are embarrased by the “pick a number” system in this health system.
Today I had an excruciating lower back-ache and I swear I popped a verterbrae from an old snowboarding accident. I finally gave in and went to the doctor (something I don’t even like to do back home), and my Taiwanese girlfriend was with me.
Aside from the inevitable staring (oh, foreigners get sick too?), I was poked and prodded by an overworked X-ray tech, and then given a number. I was #93. They were dealing with #73. :bravo:
(BTW, the X-ray area looked like it was doubling as some dry goods warehouse…really slick).
This time, even my gal could see people staring at me while we were were sitting in the nifty plastic chairs in the waiting area, and she suggested we leave until it was closer to my number. Thank heavens. I was in so much pain I couldn’t think clearly.
Anyway, we come back about four numbers from mine, then the wheels really go in motion…90…91…92…93…94…hey waitaminute!! My girlfriend had to run up to this door at the end of a very narrow hallway and tell them I was number 93! Then the counter goes up tp 95.
I asked her about this obviously flawed system and she couldn’t answer me.
There were people everywhere in this “clinic” and I had no idea where exactly would be the best place for me to wait. Finally, with my gal’s constant questioning, it was my turn.
So I walk in not expecting much, and the doctor is treating patients while others, like me, look on in this smallish examining room. 
There was no attempt at privacy. And there were three nurses standing by, doing god knows what. I watched this guy draw a huge syringe of blood from a guy’s knee and it was not pleasant, given the fact that I was very uncomfortable from the pain in my back.
The actual treatment from the doctor was fine. He spoke fluent English and fixed me up and I was on my way. Turned out all I had was a muscle sprain in my lower back. Nothing that pain killers and bed rest won’t help.
But what an awful experience. I mean, this would have been three times as bad had my girlfriend not been there to help me through it.