You never know what someone is going through or what kind of day they had leading up to their encounter with you.
That’s why, as hard as it can sometimes be, it’s important to reserve judgment and remember that we don’t always know a person’s story.
One mother forgot that lesson when chatting with her daughter, but this man was here to remind her in a very meaningful way.
What One Mother Told Her Child in Public
Back in 2018, Vancouver, Washington State native Andy Ross had just put in a long day at his construction job. He was dirty, but he needed to stop at the store on his way home to meet up with his fiancée and son. When he got inside, however, a little girl kept staring at him.
“Which is fine,” he explained in a since-deleted Facebook post, as per Indy100. “I know that kids are curious when they see someone, especially as dirty as I was. They ended up in front of me as I was checking out.”
That’s when the day took an unexpected turn. As they were leaving, the mother told her daughter to stop staring. Then she whispered to her, “That is why you need to stay in school.”
The man couldn’t believe what this woman was teaching her daughter, so he made the moment his own teachable one.
How One Dad Responded to a Rude Stranger
Rather than let the situation sit, Ross decided to clarify a few things in a post. "First, I happen to be a very educated dirty man. I not only have a high school diploma, I also have a college degree and many medical certifications,” he wrote in his post, as per Little Things.
“So assuming that I am uneducated because of my appearance is actually quite ignorant in itself,” he continued.
“Secondly, if you are telling your daughter to stay in school because I have tattoos up and down my arms, that will actually suppress her creativity and potentially hinder her imagination as she develops.”
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He added that he's proud of his tattoos and they are a representation of his pride in his country and his service over multiple combat tours as a special operations medic.
Ross then continued on to his third point.
“Third, if you’re referring that statement to the hat (not featured) I’m wearing because it features an elk, you might not understand it,” he wrote. "I happen to co-own Evergreen State Outdoors and am proud to own an outdoors company and support my rights to hunt and responsibly be a gun owner.”
Ross continued by explaining he chooses to work in the construction industry since desk work, which he has also tried, is not for him.
“I am proud to say that I am a part of building America and I enjoy my job every day,” he wrote. “I make good money, have benefits, and am able to provide for my family without issue.”
The Gentle Reminder One Dad Gave the Internet
Ross wrapped his post with a few takeaways that we should all keep in mind, including the fact that we should always try not to judge people we don’t know. Here is Ross’ list in full:
- Don't judge people at first glance.
- Do what you love and enjoy and it's never work.
- Blue-collar jobs are the best jobs. They can pay great and it doesn't always come with a price tag.
- Education is important but college doesn't guarantee you anything.
- Experience, hard work, and dedication allow you to be successful in your career path.
- Don't be an a**hole parent who raises their kids to be an a**hole.
- When attempting to insult someone's intelligence and education level, don't allow yourself to be out-educated by said dirty man.
- I need a shower.
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Snap judgments are human nature, but it’s how we deal with these situations that truly matters. If you find yourself judging someone you don’t know — or maybe someone you do — remember that you never truly know what someone else is going through. That's why it’s always best to lead with compassion and grace.
Telling yourself that you don’t know the whole story is always a good start. It’s also important not to say anything or comment when you don’t understand. And if you do want to understand, ask questions rather than making an assumption.
Sometimes, that kindness is exactly what a person needs to get through their day. Meanwhile, if someone makes an assumption about you the way this mother did about Ross, there’s nothing wrong with correcting them in a gentle and kind way. After all, no one is perfect, and we could all use the occasional reminder to be kind.
