What does the word "promise" mean to you?

[Jam Stunna]

I was having a discussion about what a promise means, and I basically said that you have to keep a promise even when things get unbearably rough, because a promise is an assurance that you will do what you said you would specifically when things get too hard.

The other person basically said that when you make a promise, you do your best to honor it, but if there comes a point where the costs of keeping that promise outweigh the benefits, then you must break it for the sake of both people.

Who do you agree with? Or do you see some position that neither of us has considered?

 

[DTP]

Depends on what you promise imo.

I mostly agree with your definition though.

The other person has a point with there definition as well I suppose, but for me, if there's a situation where my promise has a chance of being broken, then I usually don't make a promise in the first place.

 

[Jim Morrison]

Basically, you better have **** good reason to break a promise, otherwise it's not warranted. If the reason makes sense, I'll always forgive you, yet still be disappointed.

 

[SkylerOcon]

It really depends on the situation. Promises should usually be honored until the end, but there are some cases where they just have to be broken for the benefit of all parties.

 

[Thatfatcat]

The word "promise" is used for those who want something. "promise" is also the assumption that individulas are perfect and won't foget what the proimise was.

I don't promise anything, nor do I bbelieve in promises.

 

[Mota]

I agree with the 2nd person.
As much as we'd like promises to be 100% guaranteed, there are times when situations and other factors change and to go through with the promise would be unwise.

Here's an dumb example
Father: "I promise to take you to the park tomorrow"
Child: "Oh Joy"
*Next day*
Father: "Ok let's go the park, I did promise after all"
Child: "No thanks dad, didn't you hear? The park is on fire and covered in deadly nuclear waste"
Father: "NO! A promise is a promise, we're going!"
Child: "No dad it's ok, forget abou-"
Father: "Silence! I've never broken a promise and I ain't starting now"
The father and child come back with super powers
The End

 

[Pikaville]

I agree with the 2nd person.
As much as we'd like promises to be 100% guaranteed, there are times when situations and other factors change and to go through with the promise would be unwise.

Here's an dumb example
Father: "I promise to take you to the park tomorrow"
Child: "Oh Joy"
*Next day*
Father: "Ok let's go the park, I did promise after all"
Child: "No thanks dad, didn't you hear? The park is on fire and covered in deadly nuclear waste"
Father: "NO! A promise is a promise, we're going!"
Child: "No dad it's ok, forget abou-"
Father: "Silence! I've never broken a promise and I ain't starting now"
The father and child come back with super powers
The End

Great example Mota

I think a promise should always be honored unless both parties agree on breaking it.

 

[TigerWoods]

I don't feel like promises are an assurance at all. I think it's pointless to promise really... If you wouldn't do what you said you would do, I doubt promising is going to change anything.

In my opinion, the converse is also true. If you would do what you said you would do, I doubt not promising would change anything.

Basically, if I request someone of something of importance, I don't bother asking them to promise to do it. I wouldn't have asked them to do something important if I didn't think they would anyway.

Essentially I believe that promises are meaningless statements.

I hope what I said makes sense. Lol.

 

[Pikaville]

I promise you'll have fun in Ireland.

 

[TigerWoods]

I promise You'll have fun in Ireland.

Edited to present my point.

"You'll have fun in Ireland" sounds like there aren't any strings attached, and that you're sure of it.

 

[Pikaville]

There are no strings attached, and I AM sure of it.

 

[Merkuri]

I was having a discussion about what a promise means, and I basically said that you have to keep a promise even when things get unbearably rough, because a promise is an assurance that you will do what you said you would specifically when things get too hard.

The other person basically said that when you make a promise, you do your best to honor it, but if there comes a point where the costs of keeping that promise outweigh the benefits, then you must break it for the sake of both people.

Who do you agree with? Or do you see some position that neither of us has considered?

The other person is right and you're wrong, sorry.

 

[-Jax]

I agree with the 2nd person.
As much as we'd like promises to be 100% guaranteed, there are times when situations and other factors change and to go through with the promise would be unwise.

Here's an dumb example
Father: "I promise to take you to the park tomorrow"
Child: "Oh Joy"
*Next day*
Father: "Ok let's go the park, I did promise after all"
Child: "No thanks dad, didn't you hear? The park is on fire and covered in deadly nuclear waste"
Father: "NO! A promise is a promise, we're going!"
Child: "No dad it's ok, forget abou-"
Father: "Silence! I've never broken a promise and I ain't starting now"
The father and child come back with super powers
The End

But they have superpowers, this wouldn't have happened if he had broken his promise.

So I think it's best if you kept your promises.

(Not implying I keep my promises though, drinking and promises aren't great combinations.)

 

[Frame Perfect]

it means calling someone back, you *******

 

[D20]

I promise you'll have fun in Ireland.

I am having fun in Ireland!

 

[Teran]

I basically agree with Jam's definition, which is why almost never make promises.

I have this mental problem where I actually have to fulfil them.