To thank a doctor who saved you, use a thank-you letter, a pennant and a satisfaction rating, not a red envelope: the code bans gifts of money and goods, not gratitude
- High value
- Evidence A
- Saves money
- Free
- Takes minutes
- No willpower
In plain words
Slipping money in beforehand does not buy priority: appointments, beds, scarce drugs and surgery scheduling may not be traded for favors. If afterward you want to thank the doctor who saved your life, you can, but don't give liquor, cigarettes or a red envelope with cash (红包); if he takes it, he is breaking the rules. There are three ways of thanking that really reach him: fill in the satisfaction survey carefully, write a thank-you letter naming him or send a pennant (锦旗), and go to your follow-up visits as ordered.
Mentioned in
- Treat police officers, doctors and bank tellers as people working by the rules of their jobs, not as roles: what moves things forward is paperwork and deadlines, not emotion
- Don't send money or cards to people handling your case or enforcing the law: bribing is a crime for you too, and bribing supervisory, law-enforcement or judicial personnel is punished more heavily
Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 24, tip 11. This section is about health and medicines. It is general information, not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis or prescription. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer