1. The “Tough Subject” Problem – Why Students Struggle
Situation: Imagine a student who always hears, “Maths is too hard for you” or “You’re not good at Science”. Over time, they actually start believing it and perform poorly.
Advice: If you keep telling yourself “I’m bad at this,” you’ll never improve. Instead, tell yourself “I can get better”, and watch how your brain starts working towards it!
2. The Coffee Shop Experiment – The Waiter Who Smiles More
Situation: You walk into a coffee shop. If the waiter greets you enthusiastically, you automatically expect the coffee to taste better, and it does! But if they seem uninterested, you might not even enjoy the coffee.
Advice: The way you expect things affects your actual experience. Similarly, the way you expect people to behave affects how they act!
3. The ‘First Bench vs. Last Bench’ Effect in Schools
Situation: Teachers often assume that first-bench students are smarter and last-bench students are less serious. Over time, the first-benchers become more confident, and the last-benchers stop trying.
Advice: If you’re always put in the “last group” in class or work, don’t believe that label. If you start acting like a top performer, people’s expectations of you will change!
4. The “Mothers and Cooking” Expectation
Situation: Many South Indian moms believe their kids won’t learn cooking and say, “You won’t be able to make proper dosa.” The child grows up never trying, believing they can’t cook!
Advice: Instead of saying, “You won’t be able to do it”, say, “I know you can learn”, and see how quickly someone improves!
5. The ‘Favorite Child’ in a Family – How Labels Shape Us
Situation: In many South Indian homes, one child is labeled “the smart one” and another is “the naughty one.” The smart one studies more, the naughty one misbehaves more—just because of how they’re treated!
Advice: If you constantly label someone, they will act that way. Instead, start setting high but positive expectations.
6. Auto Drivers and Tourists – How Expectation Changes Behavior
Situation: When a foreigner gets into an auto in Chennai or Bangalore, the driver assumes they don’t know local rates and might overcharge. But when a local steps in, they charge correctly because they expect resistance!
Advice: People treat you based on what they think you expect. Show confidence, and others will respond differently to you!
7. Why Some People Always Get Promotions at Work
Situation: At work, if a manager believes one employee is a high performer, they get more opportunities. The employee starts believing they are capable and actually performs better. Meanwhile, another equally talented employee gets ignored.
Advice: If you want better career growth, don’t wait for others’ approval—act like a top performer, and people will start believing in you!
8. The “Dosa Batter Test” – A Simple Expectation Shift
Situation: If you believe a store-bought dosa batter is better, you’ll enjoy it more, even if it’s the same as homemade. But if someone tells you it’s bad, you’ll start noticing the flaws.
Advice: Your expectations influence reality. If you expect good results in life, you will start finding them!
9. The “New Kid in Class” Effect – How You Treat Others Matters
Situation: A new student joins school, and if teachers treat them like a bright, talented student, they become confident. But if teachers expect them to struggle, they start doubting themselves.
Advice: Your belief in others can shape their future. Treat people like they are capable, and they will rise to that expectation!
10. Gym Trainers vs. Self-Workout – Why People Give Up
Situation: If you go to a gym, the trainer tells you, “You can do 10 more reps!” and suddenly, you feel like you can. But if you work out alone and tell yourself, “I’m too tired”, you stop early.
Advice: The way others believe in you affects your actual performance. Surround yourself with people who push you higher!
11. “You Look Tired” vs. “You Look Fresh” – How Words Change Perception
Situation: If someone tells you, “You look really tired today”, you suddenly start feeling tired, even if you weren’t! But if someone says, “You look great today”, you feel more confident.
Advice: Words have power! The way others describe you influences your own beliefs and energy.
12. The “Useless Husband” Joke – How Marriage Expectations Matter
Situation: In South Indian families, people joke that husbands can’t cook or clean. Over time, many men actually stop trying because they believe the expectation!
Advice: If you expect your partner to be useless, they won’t improve. If you believe in them, they will rise to that expectation!
13. The “Overconfident Engineer” – Fake It Till You Make It
Situation: In engineering colleges, some students act super confident, even if they don’t know the subject well. Because of this, professors assume they’re smart and treat them better.
Advice: If you act confident and capable, people will start believing in you, and eventually, you will become more capable!
14. The “Extra Ladle of Sambar” – How Expectation Affects Service
Situation: When you go to a mess, if you confidently extend your plate without hesitation, the server gives you more sambar. If you look unsure, they give you less.
Advice: The way you carry yourself changes how others treat you. Expect respect, and you’ll get it!
15. “Mummy’s Pet” vs. “Daddy’s Pet” – Expectation Shapes Personality
Situation: Many families say things like, “This child is like Amma, quiet and calm” or “This one is like Appa, talkative and bold.” Over time, the children actually become that way because of how they’re treated.
Advice: Your personality isn’t fixed—it’s shaped by the expectations of people around you!