People who want to be admired

[StreetOne]

Do you know people who want to be admired all the time? I know 3 people who do this ad nauseam in different areas of my life.

They always, always have to slip in how successful their dh or or dc are and wait for others to praise and validate them. At the same time, they would never think to comment positively, ever.

AIBU to think people like this must have low self esteem? Or is it just a bad habit? Why do they do it?

Is expecting to be admired and complimented constantly for self validation without complimenting back generously related to narcissistic behaviour?

OP:

Another who thinks this is down to insecurity. How embarrassing to do this!

SilentIsla I do wonder but how come they seem to think that their families are a cut above the rest of us mortals? I have the strong impression that this scoffing friend for example, is very proud of herself and her dc / dh, of all her / their amazing skills and how cultured and sophisticated they are. I don't think she is all that and am certainly not feeling lesser, it's just irritating because of how self centred it comes across.

It is self-centred - or it appears to be. However, to some extent, I feel it is a ploy to dominate the conversation just in case someone manages to get a word in about their own successes! It is so obvious, it’s amusing. They presumably feel better about themselves if they can avoid making comparisons. Poor souls.

I've got The Stone Roses I Wanna be Adored going round in my head now.

Choon!!

My MIL is like this. She has a few stories she always repeats that are about her, FIL or one of her children achieving something, brings them up apropos of nothing and looks completely bored when anyone else is talking. In her case though they go back years - I've heard the positive things DH's teachers said so many times over the years.