Belts show, but they do not prove you know

Within your martial art organization, martial art school, family, friends, and yourself, you may hold a certain rank and have all that rank's responsibilities, privileges, and prestige. However, in the minds of the rest of the people in the world, your rank only means what they think it means. It may mean a lot to them, or it may mean nothing; so do not expect them to treat you any differently than they would treat an ordinary person.