There, there, drink some hot water
(english.jsjyt.gov.cn) Updated：2018-09-28
Antoine Grellet speaks at the opening day of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. [Photo/jstv.com]
A speech delivered by Swiss student Antoine Grellet at the opening day of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine recently went viral on the internet in China.
Not only for his sharing of living and studying experiences in fluent Chinese, but also his quoting of a Chinese friend's consolation when he was homesick or had stomachache, "There, there, drink some hot water".
"Drink some hot water" is a widely-known saying in China that has been used to comfort people in any possible situation, whether physically or mentally.
It originated from Chinese people's special preference for hot water, as consuming hot drinks is more than a norm in China, but a belief that many of them hold faith in, that the hot beverages are good for their health, helping remove germs and aid their digestion. A cup of steaming hot water or tea is hence more welcomed at Chinese restaurants.
While the cultural disparities between the East and the West has shadowed the glory of hot water in Western countries. Their people's love for cold drinks – not just during hot days but also when dining out for dinner, with popcorns at theaters, or sometimes just a treat by itself, has boosted the question of whether or not one shall drink hot water a heated topic between the two sides.
Grellet was just cracking a joke about the habit, but his dedication to sharpening his expertise in traditional Chinese medicine was quite thought-provoking.
The doctoral student, majoring in the clinical discipline of Chinese and Western integrative medicine, said a patient he met during an internship at a local hospital has enlightened him to undertake the responsibility of being a doctor.
The patient extended special thanks to Grellet for his considerate care, which helped him regain the capability of talking and walking after he suffered from hemiplegia a month ago.
"We need good doctors like you and hope you return to China as soon as possible," said a patient to Grellet on his last day of internship, and it inspired him to shoulder the responsibility from the bottom of his heart.
Grellet was quite humble about his accidental online popularity. He said he just wanted to share his experiences and hoped, through his efforts, more people would get to know about traditional Chinese medicine and join the medical community.
