Re: OT: Questions on proposing marriage and buying a ring...

>>> Oy. I wish women realized that the whole ring thing was basically a
>>> scam. A big company holds a monopoly on diamonds, and makes them
>>> expensive, and has convinced the *world* that you need one of their
>>> overpriced rocks for true love (2 months salary? Christ. Why don't
>>> you *eat* with that, or something?)


>> That is too true. I don't know if I agree with a ring having to be of
>> certain value, or even that you need a ring at all. I guess that is
>> what is wrong with the world - that you measure someone's worth or
>> value (and whether you want to marry someone) on how much they paid
>> for a piece of jewellery, or how much money they have, rather than
>> their feelings for you.
>>
>> I'd prefer it like the old days, where all they did was give the
>> family a cow... :)
>>
>> (I am very happily married and did not need an expensive ring (ie in
>> the many thousands) or wedding to show it. What a joke.)


> I'm with you.  I can't count all the people I know who have had big
> expensive rings, sent out big expensive announcements, had big
> expensive weddings and followed up with big expensive divorces.  I'm
> for plain, simple and real.

I'm glad we got a nice ring ($2500, engaged in 1986, married in 1993) but
the whole wedding tradition is for the birds AFAIC.  I recoiled at the
thought of a traditional wedding.  After a few years, she was ready to get
married and finally prodded (threatened) me into doing it.  I was terrified
of the ceremony - and I had to devise a scheme to get out of it.

I told her that I thought the traditional church thing was silly - given the
fact that we had been together since high school and lived together as a
couple for 14 years.  I talked her into flying to St. Thomas for a 2 week
vacation, we would get married privately on a beach and I would take care of
all arrangements.

And she fell for it !!  Whew!!  I know... I'm a selfish, conniving sneak...
but I didn't have to pay for a church or reception.

It couldn't have worked out better.  We were married on Megan's Bay by a
woman minister.  We have priceless memories of our wedding trip and also
some unique wedding pictures!
-- 
Steve
(Reply address has been changed to protect the innocent)