Impressions vs. Stereotypes

I have had my first taste of New York. It's amazing how many stereotypes we have that don't hold up when you put yourself in the real situation. I didn't get run over by all the mean New Yorkers, people did talk to me, and it wasn't bitter cold all the time. I did notice, I've never seen so many stylish and well dressed people in one place in my life.

On our way back to the airport, I struck up a conversation with our Taxi driver. Who informed me to "own" the taxi number it cost around $60,000, which sealed the deal for me in believing that NY is by far the most expensive place in the US. I payed 20 bucks for a hamburger that wasn't even that good. . .

I know that NY is more expensive and busier than other cities, but my Taxi driver didn't. All he knew of America was New York. When I told him that Mississippi was extremely different than NY, while I thought it was funny and most would comment on the obviousness of that comment, he was intrigued and didn't believe me.

At that moment I realized the power of impressions, it's so much more than a stereotype. I can only view India through his eyes and his stories, because I've never experienced it for myself. He could only picture America as New York because that's all he's seen.

When you represent something, a business, a belief, or an organization, people only have your eyes and stories to create an impression. If you don't make the effort to become the author of that impression, they will create a stereotype for you.

I'd rather leave a valuable impression, than help create a negative stereotype.