Photo by Mediamodifier on Unsplash
Found this community through 
So I walked past a community event over lunch today. There was a makeshift stand where decorative items were put on display. A older gentleman stood from behind the stand and approached me. He introduced himself, speaking in colloquial Mandarin Chinese and proceeded to persuaded me to purchase an item for a good cause.
While I was in a hurry, I remained courteous and respectful as the kind gentleman spoke.
As our conversation went on, it became clear that he wasn't just any nondescript Tom, Dick or Harry. Something about him just didn't add.
This man was (is?) a doctor and a very senior one at that. And when I replied in English, he replied in perfect English, without a hint of the Mandarin accent he had earlier. We chatted on and I learn that he is a medical professional in a private hospital.
He was humble to not share further but clearly he's a well learned man. One would never have knew from his down-to-earth attire and folksy behaviour. One may even have waved him off when he came to solicit a donation.
Lets be honest here, many of us tend to do that. We take a glance, share a few sentences and we make judgement on what sort of person the other party is.
I find this impairs us from getting the most from our team mates, colleagues or even family members. We make assumptions that so-and-so, sans University degree, can't string sentences together = low contributor or probably not going to be useful to the team.
So as a reflection, reminder to self... do not judge by the cover for you never know what "hidden gems" we may lose out on.