It really depends on what type of game it is, how many difficulties it has and more importantly, my experience with the genre in general, but I usually go to hard or higher

I usually go on Normal for story experiences, then go on hardest if the game warrents a second playthrough. I don't want excessive difficulty taking me out of the experience.

Example I played Witcher 2 on Nightmare first go, beat it but it was frustrating trying to learn mechanics out of the gate like that.

Alternatively, if a game is designed around hard gameplay, I have no problem doing it. Love Souls and Bloodborne for example. I capped my character at 130 and managed to make it through NG+6 on Bloodborne for example. When people tried to join me, I would invite them to voice chat and they would be like WTF when I told them lol. Then I would just laugh at people who wouldn't accept the invite, because they would always charge the boss and get one shoted. XD

A narrative based game I want to play on normal I rarely die and it all flows like a movie, I then play it. Ask on the hardest difficulty.

But other games like God of war I'll play on hard from the get go

Always normal, if its there.
I refuse to play on easy.
If the game is too easy I might restart and pick hard, or do it on a replay lateron.

normal except if its a really hard arcade based game

I always go for the easiest setting. Games should be fun, not frustrating, and I enjoy being overpowered. I kinda wish cheat devices were still a thing...

It depends on what game it is. I'd usually go on hard, but if it's a narrative based game, I would play on normal.

Depends what the trophys are. unless its a special difficulty and is too hard like realistic mode in Black Ops 3 for example.

Normal, I figure its the way the devs intended for the game to be played. Then if I'm trophy hunting I'll play again on hard.

If a game is reportedly easy, I always go for the hardest, also if a game has trophies/achievement that needs you to beat it at certain difficulties then I go for the hardest too, otherwise I just choose normal.