It's impossible to have all the same goals as someone else because we're all different. So I don't think it's doomed. It's better to try to work things out. Maybe you can if the other person will compromise with you. Some people don't want to though.

[It's not like Dave can talk. He's never had a lasting relationship.]

It's doomed if someone gives up. You gotta have two people to make a relationship work. One can't do it alone.