Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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NEW YORK CITY — It's hard to escape stereotypes.
You hear them all the time, and you may even believe some. Some feel kind of silly, and some are downright dangerous ways of thinking that lead to hatred and condemnation.
Americans are loud, Canadians are polite, and Parisians are rude — we've all heard these stereotypes and many more.
One of the most common stereotypes in the U.S. is that New Yorkers are rude or even a bit scary. You can't approach them on the street. You better get out of their way. Don't bother smiling.
In this video, a man tells a story that defies this stereotype to the point that it may bring a tear to your eye.
His story involves waiting to cross the street in the city. As he describes it, the group waiting to cross the street is diverse in only a way that New York can be diverse, with humans of every seemingly shape, culture, religion and lifestyle in the world present.
Then a toddler comes walking down the street. Alone.
I hate to be "that writer" who says "you won't believe what happens next." So I won't be. However, I do think it best you hear the rest of the story from the lips of a man who was there, and I now politely direct you to watch the video.
The story is told by Neal Foard, who has honed his storytelling skills as an advertising and marketing creative. His YouTube channel is filled with stories told from his point of view about positive lessons learned in his life and career.