Standards v. Expectations: The cage match

In this corner, weighing in as the socially acceptable level of satisfaction, enjoyment, expectation and status quo, the most basic of basics, Standards.

And in this corner, tipping the scale at a robust level of higher expectancy, opinion and unwavering measure of personal gratification, never to be compromised, Expectations.

Indeed, the difference between standards and expectations lies solely within who decides what the acceptable level of each is. One is society/group/friend/family driven. The other is all you. But what really is the perception of people who set expectations above the standard?

The thing about expectations is that everyone has their own. Some people have expectations much lower than what the standards are in particular situations, relationships, work environments, etc. than others. They don't mind. They probably don't even know that it's different. Other people have superior expectations that far and away exceed any sort of standard currently on the market. It's just the way they are. They expect more.

The question is...Do we look at those people and think they are selfish? And when it comes to relationships in general, do high standards preclude you from finding true happiness?

I guess my answer is no. It doesn't. The catch is having expectations that are really the root to your happiness. Will achieving whatever you set your expectations to be really going to make you a happier person? Setting unrealistic expectations without the foggiest if they'll actually make you happy is counterproductive. That leads to a whole lot of crabby people with amazingly unattainable and unsubstantiated expectations sitting around wondering why they are always unhappy.

Oh...and another thing. Having expectations that are higher than those around you doesn't make you any more high maintenance. It's just as hard to please someone with low to no expectations, as it is to please those with really high expectations. At least with the "high" people, you know what you're up against. There is a point when you can care too little. And let's be honest, people who don't care at all are annoying.

Ding. Ding. Ding.
THE WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: EXPECTATIONS.
Have them. Live them. Always try to exceed them.