The Cup You Believe Will Fill First Might Reveal Narcissistic Tendencies

At first glance, the image looks like nothing more than a straightforward logic puzzle. Coffee moves through a maze of pipes, flowing toward six cups labeled A through F. The task feels simple: figure out which cup fills first.

But the exercise goes beyond following liquid through pipes.

It’s really about how you think. How you make decisions. What you rely on first—reason, instinct, or self-confidence. Here’s a deeper interpretation of what each choice may suggest about your mindset and personality.

If You Chose Cup A

You tend to trust yourself, sometimes more than the system.

Picking Cup A often points to strong self-confidence. You rely heavily on instinct and personal experience, and you’re comfortable making quick calls without overanalyzing.

You’re likely decisive, assertive, and self-reliant. In leadership settings, that can make you effective and influential.

That same confidence, though, can cause you to miss hidden factors. You may assume your first read is correct without checking every variable. When mistakes happen, it’s rarely due to lack of ability—it’s usually because you moved too quickly.

Strength: Confidence and decisiveness
Blind spot: Skipping deeper verification

If You Chose Cup B

You look for balance and reassurance before deciding.

People who select Cup B often value stability and fairness. You don’t rush conclusions. You prefer outcomes that feel logical but also emotionally sound. You’re the type to double-check before committing.

You’re thoughtful, cooperative, and considerate. Others trust your judgment because you don’t act impulsively.

The tradeoff is speed. When quick action is needed, your need for certainty can slow progress.

Strength: Emotional balance and careful thinking
Blind spot: Hesitation under pressure

If You Chose Cup C

You are structured and detail-focused.

Choosing Cup C usually means you traced the pipe paths carefully instead of guessing. You trust systems, patterns, and proof more than appearances.

You’re analytical, observant, and patient. You catch details others overlook and often prevent problems before they happen. You perform well in complex environments.

Still, you may struggle to let go once you start analyzing. Double-checking can become exhausting, and opportunities may pass while you’re still verifying.

Strength: Logic and precision
Blind spot: Perfectionism

If You Chose Cup D

You’re drawn to complexity and intellectual control.

Cup D tends to attract people who enjoy mental challenges. You likely followed each pipe deliberately and felt satisfaction solving the puzzle step by step.

You see intelligence as the ability to uncover deeper layers. You value being right for the right reasons. This makes you strategic and insightful.

But complexity can become a bias. You may overlook simple answers because you expect the solution to be intricate.

Strength: Strategic depth
Blind spot: Overcomplicating clear truths

If You Chose Cup E

You rely on intuition and emotional insight.

Selecting Cup E often means you didn’t rely on mechanics alone. You followed a feeling about where the flow would go.

You’re empathetic, intuitive, and people-focused. You look beyond structure and think about meaning, consequences, and emotional context.

However, intuition isn’t always exact. When feelings lead without logic, technical details can slip by.

Strength: Emotional intelligence
Blind spot: Avoiding hard logic

If You Chose Cup F

You’re bold, self-assured, and image-conscious.

Cup F is frequently chosen quickly. If you picked it, you likely trust your first impression and don’t enjoy second-guessing yourself.

You’re charismatic, confident, and comfortable projecting certainty. People may look to you for direction because you appear sure of your decisions.

But strong certainty can turn into overconfidence. When curiosity fades, blind spots expand.

Strength: Confidence and presence
Blind spot: Dismissing unseen factors

The Deeper Meaning

This puzzle isn’t really measuring intelligence.

It’s measuring your relationship with certainty.

Do you answer fast or sit with doubt?
Do you trust instinct or process?
Do you prioritize being right or being thorough?

Which cup fills first matters less than how you chose it.

And the most revealing insight might be this:

The sharpest thinkers aren’t always the quickest—they’re the ones most aware of what they could be overlooking.