After 45 years of marriage, when I have an argument with my wife, if we don’t agree, we do what she wants. But, when we agree, we do what I want!

Pépin’s line is a self-deprecating, affectionate joke about the pragmatics of long marriage. On its face it describes a “win–win” arrangement for the husband, but the humor depends on the obvious reversal: in disagreements, he yields; in agreements, he only “wins” because his wife already shares the preference. The quip gestures toward a durable marital strategy—prioritizing harmony over ego—while also acknowledging the subtle power dynamics and negotiations that accumulate over decades. Coming from a public figure known for warmth and conviviality, it reads as a comic celebration of companionship and compromise rather than a literal rule for decision-making.