Do Ultimatums Ever Really Work?

Have you ever been given an ultimatum to do something? Have you ever GIVEN an ultimatum to get your way? Did it work out for you or did it backfire?

ul·ti·ma·tum

noun \ˌəl-tə-ˈmā-təm, -ˈmä-\

plural ul·ti·ma·tums or ul·ti·ma·ta\-tə\

Definition of ULTIMATUM

: a final proposition, condition, or demand; especially : one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct action 

 

If you're anything like me, you don't like to be backed into a corner.  I might be leaning towards going the route you want me to go anyway but as soon as I feel like you take my options away from me, it becomes a problem.  I'm a Sagittarius and we are free-spirited. We already fear confinement and shudder at the thought of not being able to do what we want. Do you know of any situations or relationships (personal, business or otherwise) that formed based off of ultimatums? I'm interested to know if they've lasted or if they've fallen apart.