"The next morning the Roman authorities sent police officers with the order, “Let those men go.” So the jailer told Paul, “The officials have sent an order for you and Silas to be released. You may leave, then, and go in peace.”

But Paul said to the police officers, “We were not found guilty of any crime, yet they whipped us in public — and we are Roman citizens! Then they threw us in prison. And now they want to send us away secretly. Not likely! The Roman officials themselves must come here and let us out.”

The police officers reported these words to the Roman officials; and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid. So they went and apologised to them; then they led them out of the prison and asked them to leave the city."

(Acts 16.35-39 GNB)

If only those who mistreated Paul and Silas checked before they arrogantly whipped Paul and Silas, they would not have gotten into such an embarrassing situation.

Most people over-generalise or have some pre-conceived notion about other people based on how people look and / or their ethnicity. I have done this too.

But it is better for me to understand the other person's circumstances and facts - the back story - before forming any opinion. It is better to withhold opinion than to apologise for my judgment error. It is difficult and I have to remind myself again and again.

~

Related:
Back story
Prejudice trumps intelligence