There's Only One I in Compromise

Relationships. I'm not in one, but most of the people around me are and I noticed a pattern in most of the couplings

One person is always the one compromising to the other's will.

Like my friend G, who is always the compromising one in relationships. She's strong-willed, outspoken, a fighter, and yet when it comes to things like "do we do what he wants to do or what I want to do" it always ends up "what he wants to do". She frowns, pouts, gets disappointed, but "he really wants to do this, so I'm going along with it." Even the relationship itself is a compromise in his favor. She's hearing her biological clock and, brave as it was for her to date a younger man, because he is younger means that he still doesn't know what he wants, who he is, where he's going. She wants things to keep rolling, and while he's having trouble even introducing her to his friends.

If her time is really that much of a priority, why waste it on a guy who can't give you what you want?

Another friend's budding relationship is struggling because neither wants to compromise or even understand the other.

I suppose if everyone in the world honored themselves, put themselves first even and, dare I say, was selfish no relationship would succeed. I don't even think relationships can even start without someone giving in to the other, the alpha in the pairing. I mean, some of you kind readers recommended I not call a guy because "my time is more important". I get that, but could I also be throwing away an opportunity just because I'm stubborn and refuse to bend a little?

Just so you know, I haven't called the guy because I really don't have time or the inclination.

I'm just wondering if an equal partnership is really achievable. Perhaps I'm just cynical right now, but I'm interested in reading what everyone else thinks.