Fine!

Webster defines the word compromise as "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions." This could be a pretty close definition to that of an agreement, I think. I guess the small conflict lies in the "settlement of differences."Often, when two people compromise, they must each give up a little bit of something to come to an agreement on the issue. But if one person gives up more than the other to solve said issue, is that fair?

Let's say John and Mary decide to have dinner together. Mary wants Mexican. John wants seafood. They compromise and go to Applebees where Mary gets a quesadilla and John orders the fish and chips. While each is able to get what he or she wanted, Mary did not get authentic Mexican food, and John settled for some deep-fried, processed slab of fish. Okay, maybe it's a lame analogy, but you get the idea.

My compromise? I take the bus to my job downtown. I'd love to drive my own car, have all my privacy and be free to sing "Since U Been Gone" at the top of my lungs if I so wish. However, since the cheapest parking lot downtown will charge me $10 per day, I take good ol' public transportation. I ride with some weirdos and must walk 8 blocks to get to my stop, but I've got to settle for what I can afford.

That's just it - a settlement. They say you should never settle for anything less than what you want in life. But sometimes a compromise is inevitable. Sure we can learn to be happy with what we've settled for, but is that how it should be?

Funny that the word promise is the root word of compromise. - I'll use my killer English-Major skills here for a moment. - If a promise is a declaration or an expression of assurance, then a compromise must be a "co-promise" between two people. Even if that promise is reached at the end of an argument with both parties sealing the deal with a "FINE!"