TheFamilyMan Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I've always thought that communication was the most important and influential part of a relationship but I'm curious as to what other people think. So what's the most important thing in a relationship, that one thing that in your past has been make-or-break?
vsmini Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I think you're right on track with communication. With out that - honesty, integrity, loyalty and support cannot really be....well....communicated and maintained! Get a firm grip on communication and then you can decipher if the person you are with maintains the listed traits above.
Lil1 Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Honesty. With yourself, and with your SO. Communication is a big one too. To me, there isn't just ONE thing that makes or breaks a relationship, but if I had to choose ONE unchangeable characteristic in a partner it would be honesty. I would want my partner to always without fail be honest with me
Cee Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I think each partner needs have a sense of self and stability. And they can build a relationship atop that firm foundation. So many other things are important too such as being part of a team, commitment, trust, loyalty, physical intimacy, and similar goals and values. Communication is so much easier when other aspects of a relationship are going well.
rafallus Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 ****, my first though was communication, because it's broad enough term to cover many aspects.
donnamaybe Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I think you're right on track with communication. With out that - honesty, integrity, loyalty and support cannot really be....well....communicated and maintained! Get a firm grip on communication and then you can decipher if the person you are with maintains the listed traits above. Yes to all of the above.
Ms. Joolie Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) Communication is great and vital to a relationship, but it still comes second to well-being. If you don't have your relationship's well-being at heart with communication, your communication will not turn out well. For example, you can communicate something from a place of anger, insecurity, jealously, revenge, resentment, bitterness, etc - and that communication will not be conducive to building your relationship. If you communicate with the intention of your relationship's well being, and coming from a place of well-being, that seems to me to be the most important thing in a relationship. Qualities of well-being are endless: happiness, security, integrity, empathy, sympathy, joy, love, etc. Basically any positive/healthy attribute. So I believe that the quality of well-being determines the quality of communication. Well-being is the most important thing in my relationships. Edited July 6, 2011 by Ms. Joolie
oaks Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Trust. The next thing is not even close. You beat me to it. Respect comes pretty high up the list, too. To everyone who said "communication"... yes it's very very important, but it's just a facilitator. You don't go in to a relationship to get (or give) some "communication" and it doesn't give you a warm feeling inside.
thehead Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Respect as the motivator for honesty, integrity, and kindness.
sm1tten Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Reciprocity. To me, this means a commitment (and actual actions) by both partners to build and maintain a healthy, loving relationship... and all the other things that people mentioned - communication, trust, respect, etc - follow when both partners agree to be responsible for building an interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship.
yamanbt Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 For me, it's honesty. Dishonesty is the one thing that will make be steaming mad in a relationship situation.
Feelin Frisky Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Here's one that might not come to mind for most people but it ripped my big engagement to shreds: it's being completely consistent in your rules and boundaries. If one party keeps changing up what flies from day to day it can't work. It's more than an issue of fairness--it's a matter of identity. What happens after a while is you get stuck wondering just who is this person? And there is no answer because it will just keep changing.
OpenBook Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 For me, it's always been admiration for my partner. All the other good things about a healthy relationship (communication, respect, support, great sex, etc.) automatically fell into place behind my admiration of him. And when I stopped admiring him, the relationship eventually fell apart. This has happened in every significant relationship I have ever had with the opposite sex. (I pick my GFs the same way, sans the sex of course... but seldom has my admiration of them died.)
somedude81 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 What's the most important thing in a relationship?SEX Without it, you're just friends.
Ghosst Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Respect. If you respect someone you will be honest, treat them fairly and with honour.
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