This is a story about a guy I met called David.

Judge people on their Individuality, not their Commonality.

I recently had an experience that I wish more people could experience. It was nothing outstanding, it wasn’t newsworthy, and it was brief, but was just one of those moments in life.

I was at a Regional Queensland Council office north of Brisbane waiting for a meeting. Sitting next to me in the foyer was a man who was almost the blackest person I have ever seen (I’m a lily white ginger so we must have looked a site together), and he was dressed in a shiny grey suit with shoes polished to a sheen. He wasn’t very old, if I had to guess, maybe 30-35.

We sat for a while lost in our respective IPhones then he made eye contact with me and said hello and introduced himself as David. He asked how my day was going and queried what I was waiting for...not in an intrusive way, simply in a friendly conversational way. I told him what I was doing briefly then I asked him what he was there for. He said he was there for a job interview, I think it was as a cleaner or something similar. I asked him where he was from and he said he was from Sudan and had come to Australia as a refugee a few years before. He didn’t offer any other deal and I didn’t want to pry, because he was not focused on that, he was focused on what was in front of him.

We went back to our phones but I couldn’t help thinking about David. I admit when I hear Sudanese, I immediately think Sudanese gangs in Melbourne. It’s an automatic thought, but I am aware of it. Now anyone who denies there are problems with Sudanese gangs in Melbourne, or suggests you are racist if you even raise the topic, is a leftist knob. But here is a Sudanese man living in regional Queensland, turning up to a job interview for a low paying job, dressed better than some people who turn up for management position job interviews. He was friendly, positive, doing the best he can with what he has, and you couldn’t help but like the bloke.

As I went into my meeting he was still waiting and I turned back to him and offered a hand shake and just said “Good luck mate”. His smile and thanks made my day.

Always judge people on their Individuality…not their Commonality.

I really hope David got that job.

Live a Life Worth Living

John Rosel

info@the4pillarsoflife.com.au

www.the4pillarsoflife.com.au

Individuality V Commonality