Why Is An Engagement Ring Important?

I heard a discussion on whether or not a man should buy a ring for an engagement. Some people felt that being this is 2011 that a ring is not necessary. The argument was that women work and can support themselves. That a ring isn't necessary to have a commitment. Why should a guy spend money on a ring?

Why? Because this long-standing tradition is they way that a man shows his commitment and love for a woman. The ring symbolizes the commitment that he is making.

The proposal is the guy's day. The proposal should be thought out and special.  It's the day that he gets to create and plan. Then the woman plans the wedding. The man pays for the ring. The woman pays for the wedding. It all evens out and actually in most cases the ring is way less then the cost of a wedding. Sure today it's possible that both plan the wedding and both save up for the wedding but I'd have to say in most cases the woman has had a vision of her wedding all her life and will be the one to do the majority of the planning.

Why wouldn't you want you man to buy you a ring? Even if it's not expensive, it shows that he put in the thought and wants to give you a symbol of his love. It's special. If he proposes on a whim without a ring, I think it's romantic and great but not official until the ring is on her finger. A second proposal should be made as an official proposal.

Just say yes to the ring.

Jan

Should a Woman Propose? No Way!

Listening to the radio this morning, the morning crew was having a discussion on whether a woman should propose to a man. Apparently a woman had called in and her boyfriend, who had already been engaged before told her that he would not propose to her and she would have to propose to him.

One woman caller said sure, she should do it because she had proposed and it was awesome. Oh yeah, and she's no longer married. So that worked out well.

Another caller, a man, said maybe he wanted the experience to be completely different so he'd be able to remember it and not confuse the two. Seriously??? I don't even think I have to reply that if he can't remember his proposal, he didn't really care. By the way, he could think of something totally original, romantic and special that nothing else could top like a cruise, a beach or hilltop picnic, a winetasting, a bed and breakfast getaway, or really out there like maybe a skydive, or a mountain climb. Did you see that incredibly romantic "movie" proposal? So many ways to make it uniquely your own.

My opinion, tell this guy no way and walk. He's playing games with her. If he REALLY loved her and wanted to be with her, there would be no game going on here and he would be dropping to one knee and proposing. If she tells him flat out no way and walks away from him, either he will come running with a ring, or she's better off moving on now than wasting time with this guy who clearly isn't serious.

Even if he plays along and accepts her proposal, this is setting the precident of her jumping through hoops for him, and when she gets tired of jumping through his hoops, he'll be dumping her.

Women, some traditions are worth keeping. Proposing is your man's way of letting you know that he is ready, that he undeniably wants to spend the rest of his life with you and that he wants to make this special for you. And he should WANT to make this the most special day of your life.

The man plans the proposal. The woman plans the wedding. That's the way it has been and how it should continue to be. Why mess with tradition? 

Jan