I'd say it is a sign of emotional neediness. My boyfriend is constantly trying to impress me with his travels and worldly knowledge and it gets annoying sometimes, but I put up with it because I know how long he was alone and is just really happy to finally have someone to talk to and come home to. He is definitely emotionally needy but I knew that before I hooked up with him and I am prepared to wait it out until he gets more comfortable.

You have to say that someone constantly trying to achieve perfection has emotional issues as well. Why do they need to be perfect, or why do they want people to think they are perfect? This is at the very least an irrational need, and signals severe self-esteem problems. In this way, both would be a cry for attention and acceptance from someone who doesn't love themselves, so much seek outside validation.

My friend is an alcoholic, has been divorced twice due to his drinking, has filed bankruptcy, and is now living with a drunk. He finally found someone who would accept him. His appearance (other than his face looking like 10 miles of bad road) is always perfect, his clothes, his hygiene, everything. His house and yard are always perfect as well. He's compulsively neat, and even pulls out his stove and refrigerator once a month to clean under them. He cleans his kitchen floor with a sponge on his hands and knees. His outward perfection is an attempt to cover up for his inward failings. He thinks that people only see what's on the outside. He is in total denial that anyone knows what a wreck his life really is.

I think it is a sign of emotional weakness. When a person is not confident in themselves or do not trust themselves, they seek affirmation from others. A person should get their worth from knowing that they are being true to themselves and doing the best they can. What others think about it should not concern you. To strive for perfection is great, but that again is personal. Others should not influence that.

Personally I believe that qualifies as neediness. Impressing others isn't striving for perfection it is attempting to be a people pleaser, and in no way counts as perfection because each and every person has unique ideas of perfection and one person who tries to be impressive to everyone will not only fall short but will lose their personal identification as well. Everyone wants to be liked, but needing to impress everyone is definitely being an emotionally needy person.

I am one of the person you just described above and it is not easy being one. It is very hard to please everyone because it is just impossible. When I was in high school I tried to please everyone, if someone asked me a favor I would readily extend one if I can help. If someone wants me to do this and that I would gladly do them.

But I don't think that constitutes as being needy. For me someone who is always trying to please another is not needy because how can one be needy when one you can give so much? Needy is a too strong word for someone who is a pleaser. What I am certain is that I do this to make them happy and it makes me feel good if they praise me. Maybe I am guilty of being needy when it comes to praise and attention. All of us in some way or another needs attention, appreciation and the feeling that we belong.

I am a pleaser and that is a part of my personality that I learn to embrace but I also learn to control because of the consequences that I have experienced. I tried to study well and maintain high grades because I want to please my parents and I think that helped me to excel in school and finished a degree. That is one good outcome. So why do I do this? One thing for sure I want my parents to appreciate me and make them happy.

So I did this out of the need to of praise and wanting others to be happy with me. But now that I have matured, I learned to say "NO." Even if someone who is a close friend or a family member would suggest that I should do this, I learned to think twice and if I don't feel like doing it then I won't do it even though they will be disappointed. I learned that when I tried to please everyone I lose track of my own happiness in the process and got abused at the same time. And as much as possible I want to avoid that.

One thing for sure I am not entitled to anybody or anyone. As long as I know that what I am doing is good, what other people think of me does not matter so much. As long as I know where my happiness lies. I know my priorities in life and I know that I am pleasing God, that is more than enough with me.

In many cases, I don't think it's about either one. It's about beating other people. I find it really interesting that the "beat others" crowd gets wrongly labeled by people who think they want to please everyone. They don't want to please everyone; they just want a reaction out of everyone. In fact, if too many people approve of their actions, they'll come up with something more controversial or outlandish to get the response they're looking for.

It's also not such a bad category to be in as a lot of really great entrepreneurs and sports stars use this trait to drive their own success.

It is a sign of insecurity. It is a continous desire for reassurance because the person feel inadequate
or incompetent to handle life challenges.
The person has a sense of not fitting in,being " out of synch" with those in their peer group.