This question arose from Sarah Kyrcz’ story about going to a NASCAR race her husband wanted to attend… and how she ended up actually enjoying herself! (One of her secrets – just go with it.)
Compromise is an issue we all have to deal with, and the ability to “give a little to get a little” doesn’t always come naturally.
How do you reach mutually satisfactory compromises?
Suzi Craig says
With as much empathy and understanding as possible. Easier said than done but the best way to compromise is to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. I think if two people are committed to putting the other person first, then compromise is just a formality.
Kim Grehn says
The Great Compromise of 1787 is known as The Connecticut Compromise.
Early in the Constitutional Convention, delegates envisioned a Congress consisting of only a single chamber with a certain number of representatives from each state. The big question was, how many representatives from each state? Delegates from the more populous states favored the Virginia Plan, which called for each state to have representation based on the state’s population. Delegates from smaller states supported the New Jersey plan, which gave each state the same number of delegates.
Connecticut delegate Roger Sherman is credited with proposing the alternative of a “bicameral,” or two-chambered Congress, made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Each state would send an equal number of representatives to the Senate, and one representative to the House for each 30,000 residents of the state.
Do you think today’s congress could agree on that kind of compromise?
Bruce says
Great thoughts, Suzi and Kim! New license plate idea: “The Compromise State “. (We would let cars from other states get ahead of us in the EZ Pass lane.)
Harlan says
Well… now that you’ve all *forced* me to think about it, I’d say that compromise is the art of not taking yourself too seriously. The great Alan Watts one said that when people are “serious,” we have bitter divorces and holy wars. I agree with Suzi that a sincere desire for understanding serves us best in achieving mutual consensus.
Love the new license plate idea, Bruce. Yes, “The Compromise State” wherein we all live together in “A State of Compromise.” Though, to Kim’s point, our political reality better illustrates a seriously compromised state.