History Main / AgreeToDisagree

This trope can either be invoked as a StockPhrase or used to resolve a conflict. Sometimes, it's a good point. Other times, it's an excuse to avoid pointing out that one side's opinions are actually wrong.

Opinions are like noses: Everybody has one, and they all smell. And not only do we all have different opinions and beliefs, we all believe ourself to be right and believe that everyone else is wrong. However, that doesn't mean that we have to be enemies. Instead, we can acknowledge that YourMileageMayVary and let each other do our own thing.

This trope can either be invoked as a StockPhrase or used to resolve a conflict. Othertimes, especially when the opinions of one side simply aren't as valid as the other side's (even though both sides have the right to their own views) its simply [[GoldenMeanFallacy an excuse to avoid a fight without pointing out that one side's opinions are actually wrong]].

For a example to count, the exact phrase "agree to disagree" doesn't have to be invoked, but it has to be something with the same (literal or underlying) meaning. That most people actually simply agree to disagree on most things most of the time does not count, the trope only comes into play when it's invoked and/or actively used to try to resolve a conflict.

* Invoked and then lampshaded in ''ASeriesofUnfortunateEvents'' When the heroes are captured by Count Olaf and interrogated by the man with hooks for hands, Fiona, [[spoiler: his sister]], points out he's on the wrong side. He quickly says this, only for the narrator to lampshade that it's basically being used to say, "I'm wrong and you're right, but I'm not going to admit it."

-->'''Milo:''' [[JediMindTrick So each one of you agrees to disagree with whatever the other one agrees with, but if you both disagree with the same thing, aren't you really in agreement?]]

-->'''Milo:''' So each one of you agrees to disagree with whatever the other one agrees with, but if you both disagree with the same thing, aren't you really in agreement?

* Invoked and then lampshaded in ''ASeriesofUnfortunateEvents'' When the heroes are captured by Count Olaf and interrogated by the man with hooks for hands, Fiona, [[spoiler: his sister]], points out he's on the wrong side. He quickly says this, only for the narrator to lampshade that it's basically being used to say, "I'm wrong and you're right, buy I'm not going to admit it."

---> '''Cat:''' You see? We can't even agree to disagree on disagreeing!

'''Ms. Krabappel:''' Neither do I!

* Inverted in one of the ''[[IsaacAsimov Black Widowers]]'' stories: two characters agree strongly with each other, but they aren't going to let a little thing like ''that'' get in the way of a good argument.

This trope can either be invoked as a StockPhrase or used to resolve a conflict. Othertimes, especially when the opinions of one side simply aren't as valid as the other side's (even though both sides have the right to their own views) its simply an excuse to avoid a fight without pointing out that one side's opinions are actually wrong.

This trope can either be invoked as a StockPhrase or used to resolve a conflict.

Compare WelcomeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies, which is the same kind of combined StockPhrase and StockAesop.

'''Ms. Krabappel:''' Neither do I!
* In ''ThePhantomTollbooth'', this is how Milo got King Azaz and the Mathemagician to agree.

->'''Flanders''': "''Well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.''"
->'''Principal Skinner''': "''I don't agree to that.''"
->'''Ms. Krabappel''': "''Me neither.''"
-->-'''TheSimpsons''', "The [=PTA=] Disbands"

* Used in ''Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy''
* Eliot Ness says it in the movie TheUntouchables.

* Invoked in the ''TrueBlood episode'' "release me". (I'll make a better description off this example later.)

* In [[MaxPayne Max Payne 2]], during a discussion about bad decisions and predestination, Vlad invokes this when Max doesn't agree with his views.

->Ned: Well, I guess this is a case where we'll have to agree to disagree.
->Skinner: I don't agree to that.
->Edna: Neither do I!

* In [[MaxPayne Max Payne 2]], during a discuss about bad descisions and predestination, Vlad invokes this when Max doesn't agree with his views.

* Interesting variant in the ''RedDwarf'' episode "Polymorph". Angerless Rimmer constantly says things like "Good point, let's take that on board" or "Well, let's put that on the back-burner for now", but really he's completely ignoring everyone else's opinions until the discussion concludes with everyone else ignoring his.

* Interesting variant in the ''RedDwarf'' episode "Polymorph". Angerless Rimmer constantly says things like "Good point, let's take that on board" or "Well, lets put that on the back burner for now", but really he's completely ignoring everyone else's opinions until the discussion concludes with everyone else ignoring his.

Opinions are like assholes: Everybody got one. And not only do we all have different opinions and beliefs, we all believe ourself to be right and believe that everyone else is wrong. However, that doesn't mean that we have to be enemies. Instead, we can acknowledge that YourMileageMayVary and let each other do our own thing.

* used in ''Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy''

Click the edit button to start this new page.