"Do you know who I am?"

In the past, this phrase was quite intimidating.

It implied that someone had connections (lol) with powerful people, belonged to a strong organization, or could resolve issues with just a phone call.

However, these days, hearing this phrase makes me think differently.

"Well, you don't know who I am either, so you should be careful."

Both in the U.S. and Korea, the world has changed a lot. Especially due to the internet and smartphones.

Living in Chicago, I sometimes see people fighting in restaurants, stores, or parking lots.

In the past, if two people raised their voices and exchanged a few curses, that would be the end of it. But nowadays, people around them discreetly pull out their phones.

They're not trying to break up the fight. They start recording. From that moment, the situation changes. The 10 seconds of angry words I utter can end up on someone's phone.

And once that video is posted on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, or local community sites, I can no longer control it.

What's even scarier is that people are surprisingly good at finding others.

Once a video is posted, comments like "I think I've seen that person before" start appearing. Some people figure out where they work, others find their business, and some even track down old photos.

If it's a company owner, the company name gets revealed, and if it's a professional, they can be linked to their office.

So nowadays, when I fight with someone I've never met on the street, it's actually more frightening to think that my identity might be revealed than to not know who they are.

Now that I'm in my 50s, I've changed from when I was younger. Even if someone cuts me off while driving, I don't react immediately like I used to. Of course, I still think to myself.

"That person drives really strangely." But that's as far as it goes.

There's no need to roll down the window and argue. Driving in Chicago, you encounter all kinds of people.

Getting angry doesn't change that person's driving habits starting today. If we start stopping our cars and fighting, we gain nothing and only increase the risk.

I think the same goes for Korea. Scenes of people yelling at staff in restaurants, fighting in apartment parking lots, or raising their voices in subways can spread nationwide with just one video.

What used to be known only by ten people present can now be seen by hundreds of thousands the next day.

Especially for business people, caution is essential.

No matter how dignified I am as a boss in my company and how kind I am to customers, if a scene of me acting strangely out of anger is recorded, people will judge me based on that 30 seconds.

We've entered a strange era where a 30-second video can overshadow a 20-year reputation.

That's why I don't really believe the saying "the patient person loses" these days. In fact, the patient person is the one who calculates quickly.

If someone cuts in line at the grocery store, it won't ruin my life.

If someone takes my parking spot first, it doesn't decrease my wealth. If a restaurant staff member is a bit rude, I don't have to enforce justice right there.

If I'm unhappy, I can calmly talk to the manager, and if I really dislike it, I can just not go back next time.

As I get older, I realize.

There are far more good fights that are avoided than good fights that are won.