Italian fruit vendor hijacks baby’s photoshoot—and the internet is obsessed

Traveling with a baby can feel like a logistical nightmare—diaper blowouts at 30,000 feet, trying to squeeze a stroller into a tiny European café, and the ever-looming threat of a mid-flight meltdown. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned after taking my son on ten flights before his first birthday, it’s that babies can be the ultimate icebreakers.

That’s why when I saw the now-viral TikTok of an Italian fruit vendor essentially taking over a baby’s photoshoot, I wasn’t surprised—it was just another example of how, in many cultures, babies are seen as a shared joy, not just their parents’ responsibility. The 15.2 million people who have viewed the clip in just three days clearly agree: sometimes, the best moments of parenthood come from complete strangers embracing your child like their own.

A fruit vendor, a baby, and the internet’s favorite new grandpa

The video by @kylensuttner captures what was supposed to be a quick travel photo-op at a charming Italian fruit stand. Instead, the vendor enthusiastically takes over, carefully arranging lemons around the baby, directing poses, and making sure the photos come out just right.

And while the interaction was undeniably adorable, it also highlights something deeper—the way certain cultures instinctively embrace babies as part of the community.

I know this feeling well. When I traveled with my two-month-old to France, I braced myself for side-eyes on the plane. Instead, I found myself surrounded by flight attendants and passengers who eagerly cooed over him, helped with accommodations, or just giving a knowing smile during a fussier moment. Later, when he was eight months old, he learned to crawl in Costa Rica, and it’s memories that I’ll remember much more than my hesitation of traveling with a baby.

The fruit vendor’s viral moment isn’t an anomaly—it’s a glimpse into how some cultures instinctively care for babies beyond their nuclear families.

Why some cultures instinctively embrace babies

If you’ve ever traveled to countries like Italy, Spain, or Japan, you may have noticed something different: babies aren’t just their parents’ business—they belong to the community. Anthropologists call this interdependent parenting, a caregiving model where multiple people, even strangers, feel comfortable engaging with and even holding children in public. 

In Italy, babies are adored. It’s common for strangers to chat with your baby at a café, for shop owners to offer free cookies, and for grandparents to chime in with advice (solicited or not). Compare that to the U.S. or Germany, where babies are often seen as part of a contained “family unit,” and public interaction is much more reserved.

Research shows that this kind of communal caregiving has psychological benefits. Babies raised in high-touch, socially engaged environments tend to develop stronger social skills and a deeper sense of security. Parents, too, reap the rewards—when you feel supported, stress levels decrease, making parenting feel less like an isolating experience and more like a shared joy.

I’ve felt this firsthand. Traveling with my baby hasn’t always been easy (he’s had meltdowns in more than one customs line), but I’ve never once regretted bringing him along. Every time we land in a new place, I’m reminded that parenting doesn’t have to be an isolated, all-consuming experience—it can be communal, joyful, and supported by people we don’t even know yet.

Related: Mandy Moore is experiencing every mom’s nightmare while traveling with her baby for the first time

Traveling with a baby: The unexpected perks

For many parents, the idea of traveling with a baby feels intimidating. But here’s the secret: Babies can be your golden ticket to deeper human connection.

• They break down barriers. Whether it’s a flight attendant sneaking you an extra snack or a taxi driver striking up a conversation, people are simply more open when a baby is involved.
• They slow you down in the best way. Instead of rushing from sight to sight, traveling with a baby forces you to notice the little things—the way locals interact, the hidden playgrounds, the slower pace of life.
• They create the best kind of travel memories. Some of my most cherished moments aren’t the big tourist sights but the unexpected kindness of strangers—like the waitress in Lisbon who rocked my son to sleep while we ate dinner.

Related: How traveling with kids can reshape your view on motherhood 

The joy of shared parenting moments

The Italian fruit vendor’s now-legendary involvement in this family’s photoshoot is more than just a cute viral moment—it’s a reminder that, in many parts of the world, parenting isn’t meant to be done alone.

As a mom who has taken her baby across multiple countries, I’ve seen firsthand how different cultures treat children, and it’s always a lesson in warmth, patience, and communal care. My son is turning one this month, and despite every pre-trip hesitation (What if he won’t sleep? What if I forget something?), I’ve never once regretted bringing him along.

Because here’s the truth: No matter where you go, you’ll find people like that fruit vendor—ready to celebrate your baby, to support you in ways big and small, and to remind you that even in a world that often feels individualistic, parenting can still be a shared experience.

And sometimes, it just takes a few lemons to prove it. 🍋