Relationships - What Makes Them Work and Not Work?

[Karamazov]

For a romantic relationship, I'd like to add space to everything everyone else said. A lot of relationships die because or or both of the people involved practically live through the other person. I know of a kid, he wanted his girlfriend to skip out on her mom's birthday to be with him. It's good to be close, but not so close and all the time.

 

[GabrielMacae]

Pick your battles, along with everything else so far. No amount of trust and honesty will keep it together if you constantly fight too easily.

Friendship. Definitely. I know too many couples who aren't friends before they're boy/girlfriend both chronologically and in priority - a good, solid friendship is a brilliant and lasting base for a relationship of any kind. Attraction alone can only go so far to make you learn about each other or share laughs and comfort. Friendship will be a good anchor in the times you're not so fond of each other - you don't have to talk/spend time as a couple all the time and the ability to appreciate a person as your friend even if you're mad at them as your partner has been invaluable to me in moving on and avoiding resentment. A good gauge of this is whether you think you could calm down and be friends anyway after a breakup.

Now that's deep.

 

[Hotsanharu]

I think it's all been said already, but here's my two cents anyway.

Let's see...IMO, a relationship is successful based on trust, honesty, respect, communication, fidelity, understanding, patience, and friendship. I personally think it's a good idea to build your relationship with someone on a firm foundation of friendship, and in many successful relationships, most people would agree that their partner is also their best friend. Before Insanish Danish and I got together, we were best friends and I think that's only served to strengthen our bond.