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Being the tacaño gringo that I am, I have a strong opinion about expensive engagement rings.  So I'll open up a controversial bag of worms and ask:

What kind of ring should a foreign bride expect from her fiancee?

If you are rich and you want to spend thousands on jewelry for the woman you love and it makes her happy, what the heck.

As for me I've been engaged and married twice to two Colomianas.  I'm not proud of that, but I bring it up because I have spent a total of about $100 on engagement rings.  That's not a miss-print.  That's "one hundred US dollars".

How can I justify such a miserly outlay?

1 - I don't buy into DeBeers ad campaign that diamonds = love.

2 - I have spent about $1500 per month on these women while they have lived with me.  It also took several thousand dollars to meet them, obtain a visa, and fly them to the US.  It took several thousand more to get them set up with wardrobe, school, and driving costs.

Assuming that I am not rich (which I am not) what is the better choice:

1 - Spend my limited resources on paying for the necessities for my wife and her children.

2 - Spend my money on useless jewelry.

I recount the following story because it is funny, not because you should do the same:

When I was planning my first trip to Bogota in 1999 I went to Wal-Mart to pick out an engagement ring (CZ, no less).  It came to a whopping $50, I believe.

The sales girl was helping me pick out a ring and she asked me what size ring my fiancee wears.  I said "I don't know."  She said "Why don't you ask her?"  I almost made up a lie, but I thought, I'll never see this girl again, I'll just tell her the truth.  

I said, "I can't ask her because I don't know who I'm going to marry yet."  The look on her face was priceless.  

OK, in the end I crashed and burned, but the 2 years I spent with my ex were much more exciting than any other 2 years that had passed before.  As it is, I spent way too much money on her.  At least she didn't walk away with a $3000 diamond.

Steve

... in response to Rings, posted by DallasSteve2 on Aug 31, 2003

Hey Steve,
Personally I like your approach, but these kind of things are a judgement call, whats good for you may not work for someone else.

A guy with money to burn may want to do just that, burn some of it. On the other hand a fella that's cautious with those dead presidents might want to keep them around a little longer.

With this approach to finding a wife there are upfront cost and backend cost. Medical insurance,(adding kids can take the cost into space) driving lessons, buying an automobile for her, car insurance for a newly licensed driver, on and on and on. And do I dare mention decorating, going from bachelor to husband, more than likely your place will get some updating. You can always get the more expensive ring later.

Now where can I get that $50.00 ring?

... in response to Rings, posted by DallasSteve2 on Aug 31, 2003

Wal Mart. Thanks that is where I am going

... in response to Re: Rings, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 31, 2003

So am I!

... in response to Rings, posted by DallasSteve2 on Aug 31, 2003

Did these ladies know how much you spent on the rings and where you bought them? If yes, did they not seem to care?

Zack

... in response to Re: Rings, posted by zack on Aug 31, 2003

Zack

I didn't tell them how much I spent, but I told them they were not diamonds.  I'm sure my ex-wife was disappointed.  However, when I gave the ring to my wife in a hammock on Aruba, she acted like I just gave her a Lexus.

Steve

... in response to Re: Re: Rings, posted by DallasSteve2 on Sep 1, 2003

On the ring.  Is an engagement ring common custom in Colombia?  I did buy a CZ ring on EBAy (for the next trip just in case).  The ring looks fantastic.  I payed about 25 dollars.  I got a size 6 (looking for a gal with a little meat on her bones).