My China Story

Armin Lissfeld, born 1964, worked as a journalist for various newspapers and TV stations for 30 years, covering people and travel. In 2012, he was scouted as a model and has since appeared regularly in various advertising campaigns in Europe and abroad. Traveling and exploring foreign cultures are his passion, and he has had the opportunity to visit China several times through his modeling work. The author lives in Munich.

"Where should we go for lunch?" my lunch date asks via WeChat. "I don't care." "What do you like to eat?" "I eat everything but meat." "No meat?" "No, no meat." "Okay, no problem. I'll find something suitable." "Great, I trust you." "Then let's go eat some pork." "Pork?" "Yeah, you eat pork, don't you?" "No, not pork." "Okay, I see." "Fine, pleased to hear it." "You're a vegetarian, right?" "Yes." “What about chicken? Do you like that?" "Um, no, like I said, no meat." “Oh, really, no chicken either?" "No, no chicken either." Kelly is a TCM doctor studying at a Shanghai clinic, and going to the French bistro where we finally meet for lunch, she recommends the delicious ham and cheese toasts. For the past two weeks, I've been getting acupuncture from Kelly at a TCM clinic for my sinusitis. I’d trusted her with my health. Even had a few cupping glasses put in for my chili-related stomach irritation and endured some very painful needles for my nicotine addiction in the back of my hand, believing Kelly knew what she was doing. I no longer do now. With one lunch, she retroactively took all her Chinese wizardry to absurdity.