--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused…" description: "\"'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 'What's the fair market price?'\" — Christopher Voss" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/christopher-voss-13010_fair_fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-te_18204.jpg" --- # 'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in… ![“'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 'What's the fair market price?'” quote by Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/christopher-voss-13010_fair_fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-te_18204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/christopher-voss-13010_fair_fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-te_18204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/christopher-voss-13010_fair_fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-te_18204.jpg) > “'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 'What's the fair market price?'” [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term 'fair' is a vague, overused bargaining tool that masks true interests and can be exploited in negotiations. **In simple terms:** 'Fair' is a negotiation buzzword. Key Takeaway Beware of vague fairness claims. Themes Negotiation tactics Language ambiguity Power dynamics Perception management Strategic communication Mood Skeptical Analytical Cautious Type Advice Observation When to use this quote - Business contract discussions - Salary negotiations - Real‑estate deals - Mediation sessions - Political debates Key Concepts Negotiation Psychology Rhetoric Practical Applications - Clarify concrete criteria - Use objective benchmarks Questions to Reflect On - What concrete metrics can replace 'fair' in a deal? - How does invoking fairness shift power balance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair/) [Fair Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair-like-302674/) [Fair Market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair-market-388762/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/market/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Negotiations Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiations-just-388761/) [Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/price/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-fair-388760/) ## Related quotes > [Our platform emphasizes that a vibrant, free and fair market is essential to economic growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/our-platform-emphasizes-that-a-vibrant-free-and-fair-market-is/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [I want my fair share and thats All of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-palast/i-want-my-fair-share-and-thats-all-of-it/) [Greg Palast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-palast/) > [Ah, but you see, I didn't want to be fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/ah-but-you-see-i-didn-t-want-to-be-fair/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [All some folks want is their fair share and yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/all-some-folks-want-is-their-fair-share-and-yours/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [I'm not really trying to break the bank like some other people. I just want what's fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-jacobs/i-m-not-really-trying-to-break-the-bank-like-some-other-people-i-just/) [Brandon Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-jacobs/) > [If you expect the world to be fair with you because you're fair to them, its like asking a lion not to eat you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-expect-the-world-to-be-fair-with-you-because-you-re-fair-to-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If u expect the world to be fair with u because you're fair with them, it is like expecting a lion not to eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/if-u-expect-the-world-to-be-fair-with-u-because-you-re-fair-with-them/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [Everyone always says life isnt fair, well I would like to know why the hell not?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-always-says-life-isnt-fair-well-i-would-like-to-know-why-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know life isnt fair but I still like to complain about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-life-isnt-fair-but-i-still-like-to-complain-about-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you expect the world to be fair with you because you're fair to them, it's like asking a lion not to eat you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-expect-the-world-to-be-fair-with-you-because-you-re-fair-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Its like a sort of internet Ren Fair. Its like Dungeons & Dragons but for cool people who have got friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/its-like-a-sort-of-internet-ren-fair-its-like-dungeons-dragons-but/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share. -Sally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brown-christmas/all-i-want-is-what-i-have-coming-to-me-all-i-want-is-my-fair-share/) [Charlie Brown Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brown-christmas/) > [Just let me use the technology I want at a fair price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-potter/just-let-me-use-the-technology-i-want-at-a-fair-price/) [Jonathan Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-potter/) > [As governor, I don't want my fair share. I want more than my fair share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mcauliffe/as-governor-i-don-t-want-my-fair-share-i-want-more-than-my-fair-share/) [Terry McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mcauliffe/) > [ \[Donald\] Trump is going to appeal better to African Americans, Hispanics, and others than previous Republican candidates because he's talking about what they want:… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/donald-trump-is-going-to-appeal-better-to-african-americans-hispanics/) [Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/) ## More by Christopher Voss > [Negotiation is often described as the art of letting the other side have your way. You have to give the other side a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/negotiation-is-often-described-as-the-art-of-letting-the-other-side/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [When you expect to get into a negotiation, you expect to be faced by a guy that's going to attack you, a guy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/when-you-expect-to-get-into-a-negotiation-you-expect-to-be-faced-by-a/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [If your first objective in the negotiation, instead of making your argument, is to hear the other side out, that's the only way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/if-your-first-objective-in-the-negotiation-instead-of-making-your/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [What I really think of myself as is a person who's great at negotiation coaching and consulting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/what-i-really-think-of-myself-as-is-a-person-who-s-great-at/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Successful negotiation is not about getting to 'yes'; it's about mastering 'no' and understanding what the path to an agreement is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/successful-negotiation-is-not-about-getting-to-yes-it-s-about/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There's great power in deference. You ask somebody 'what' or 'how' questions. People love to be asked how to do something. They feel powerful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-s-great-power-in-deference-you-ask-somebody-what-or-how/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [You're supposed to have a passionate purpose as a CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/you-re-supposed-to-have-a-passionate-purpose-as-a-ceo/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Emotions aren't the obstacles to a successful negotiation; they are the means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/emotions-aren-t-the-obstacles-to-a-successful-negotiation-they-are/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Every job that you take, the term that you should always include is, 'How can I be involved in the strategic projects that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/every-job-that-you-take-the-term-that-you-should-always-include-is/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [What drives you? What's your motivation? That's not emotion. That's passion. It's a different word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/what-drives-you-what-s-your-motivation-that-s-not-emotion-that-s/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [People typically only believe they're in a negotiation when dollars are involved. And maybe sometimes they're smart enough to see if there's a commodity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/people-typically-only-believe-they-re-in-a-negotiation-when-dollars/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There are a lot of negotiators that really will give in on a deal because being understood is more important than getting what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-are-a-lot-of-negotiators-that-really-will-give-in-on-a-deal/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [The first and best way to say 'no' to anyone is, 'How am I supposed to do that?' Now the other side actually has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/the-first-and-best-way-to-say-no-to-anyone-is-how-am-i-supposed-to-do/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There are three kinds of yeses. There's commitment, confirmation, and counterfeit. People are most used to giving the counterfeit yes because they've been trapped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-are-three-kinds-of-yeses-there-s-commitment-confirmation-and/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Remember Robin Williams's great work as the voice of the genie in Disney's 'Aladdin'? Because he wanted to leave something wonderful behind for his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/remember-robin-williams-s-great-work-as-the-voice-of-the-genie-in/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) [Explore all 52 Christopher Voss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) ## More Fair quotes > [We'd always come into Syracuse for the Empire State Games and the stair fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-biden/we-d-always-come-into-syracuse-for-the-empire-state-games-and-the/) [Beau Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-biden/) > [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [“All fair in love and bonus round”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-charters/all-fair-in-love-and-bonus-round/) [David Charters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-charters/) > [Do not complain of life's unfairness. It is never fair - at best it is impartial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gemmell/do-not-complain-of-life-s-unfairness-it-is-never-fair-at-best-it-is/) [David Gemmell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gemmell/) > [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > ['Vanity Fair' is a left-wing rag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ailes/vanity-fair-is-a-left-wing-rag/) [Roger Ailes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ailes/) > [Marylanders have led the nation in adopting a balanced approach to revenues and investments because we know that in order to maintain and build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-malley/marylanders-have-led-the-nation-in-adopting-a-balanced-approach-to/) [Martin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-malley/) > [We did a 'Vanity Fair' spread for 'The Hunger Games,' and we were on set, and I saw a little head pop up from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-ludwig/we-did-a-vanity-fair-spread-for-the-hunger-games-and-we-were-on-set/) [Alexander Ludwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-ludwig/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [There's nothing fair nor beautiful, but takes Something from thee, that makes it beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/there-s-nothing-fair-nor-beautiful-but-takes-something-from-thee-that/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [I believe that free but fair trade is an absolute imperative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/i-believe-that-free-but-fair-trade-is-an-absolute-imperative/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) > [“Sometimes I feel that the only concept of fairness in our society is creams like fair & lovely or fair & handsome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeroninio-almeida/sometimes-i-feel-that-the-only-concept-of-fairness-in-our-society-is/) [Jeroninio Almeida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeroninio-almeida/) > [When President Obama first came into office in 2009, I spent a fair amount of time in Michigan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-deese/when-president-obama-first-came-into-office-in-2009-i-spent-a-fair/) [Brian Deese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-deese/) > [I suggest you to do war but never love because in war either you live or you die. But in love neither you live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-suggest-you-to-do-war-but-never-love-because-in-war-either-you-live/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [I spend a fair amount of time chatting to black cab drivers in London.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hopkins/i-spend-a-fair-amount-of-time-chatting-to-black-cab-drivers-in-london/) [Katie Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hopkins/) [Browse all 1,541 Fair quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 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