When performing a cerebellar examination in multicultural Singapore some years ago, I asked the patient to touch the tip of his finger to my fingertip and then to touch his nose. In Hokkien, the latter instruction translated to “Touch your nostril,” whereupon the patient touched my fingertip, then dug his finger into his left nostril, and finally touched my finger again. Too shocked to remonstrate (after all, he had complied with my instructions), I completed the examination, after which I surreptitiously went off to wash my hands.
Since then, I have always instructed my patients to touch the tips of their noses, after which they are to touch my fingertip. It was somewhat heartening to hear that a colleague (RCSS) has since learnt the same lesson, to his chagrin (and my amusement).