Quirks....

Been doin' a lot of people watching lately. Just wondering what makes relationships work and whatnot. What attracts people to one another? What makes each other tick? Why is one side in the relationship willing to compromise themselves to give the other the advantage? And I don't just mean the girlfriend/boyfriend or wifey/hubby type... but also amongst friends, family, etc. I know that the little interaction that I do see while people watching is only a taste of what goes on in their lives, but it interesting to watch none the less. For example, I was in the mall the other day milling around and came across one of those cheap calendar vendors. As I was looking, I couldn't help but ear hustle the couple's convo that was going on next to me. Apparently, the hubby picked up a calendar of pug dogs, and his lady goes, "Oh no! I am not looking at those ugly things all year long. Put that back!" Sheepishly, the guy does. Mannnnn! It's not like he picked up a calendar of bikini clad women that he was gonna hang up in the kitchen! Just some frickin' pugs! Puppy pugs at that!!! Like I said, only a small glimpse into their world. But mind you that the guy was also pushing the baby stroller, carrying the baby bag, and wifey's handbag. Bossy wife, or proof that chivalry isn't dead? Hmmm... I kinda think the former.
Ultimately, I wonder what makes a relationship "work." What is overall happiness for those that are involved? What get's compromised in the process? How much is each other willing to take and stand for? Again, not just wifey/hubby stuff, but amongst fam and homies as well. I often time think of my relationships with people as an oasis. Something that you long for dearly or have the ultimate deisre of achieving. But then I wonder, how long should you chase after these oases before you die of thirst?
Any thoughts?