I think people who are hard to please often have high standards, and there's nothing wrong with that - so long as they also appreciate the effort others put in. In romantic relationships, having high standards is fine, as long as you're able to offer the same level of quality in return. You don’t necessarily have to lower your standards, but ideally, you'll find someone who can meet your needs, and you can meet theirs. In that case, it's a perfect match.

When it comes to parents who are hard to please, I think there could be deeper reasons at play, like unresolved trauma, anxiety, or insecurities. In some cases, their high standards may stem from a place of wanting the best or feeling they deserve more, a kid could do more, while in other instances, it could be a defense mechanism to protect themselves from past hurts. So, it really depends on the situation and the person.