For those of you pleading shamelessly for your significant other to buy you any variety of expensive jewelry for Valentine's Day — or you boys who are seriously considering such a purchase — I would just like to take this moment to remind you first that if love could be purchased, Hugh Grant would've committed no crime.And second: "Blood Diamond" isn't just a movie title. In fact, those shiny things you poke through your ears and slip over your finger don't just cost a lot of money. Rather, there's a decent chance any number of people died as a result of your gross mis-estimation of beauty. No offense.
Have a nice day!
A woman who has taken a moral stand against the diamond?
ReplyDeleteWill you marry me?
The only practical use for a diamond, in my opinion, is for a drill bit. I never understood the allure.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say I think the whole VD thing is a bit ridiculous, not just the rocks, which are a more recent attempt by jewelry merchants to get in on the action (Christmas has fallen under this pressure now as well), but the whole flowers/cards/chocolates thing. I mean, I already go all out for DW on Christmas, trying to find gifts that mean something to her, regardless of their monetary value. And I think our anniversary is a big day for expressing my love in special ways because it is a special day for US, not for capitalism. And her birthday is a nice day to celebrate her as an individual, again in some, usually small, but personally significant way. Plus I try to show my love and affection every day in little ways. So, why should I accept the idea that I don't REALLY love her if I don't also buy her diamonds and chocolate and flowers AND a card on Feb. 14th? I don't think I should, and I don't think she should believe that either.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that said, I also know that not all diamonds are "blood diamonds." A person just needs to be a conscientious shopper. And... not to offend... but there might just be a little self-defensiveness or self-protection in the self righteousness displayed here. Just a teeeny bit... maybe?
How would you actually feel if someone offered you one of the little stones? Seriously.
Woodrow - Sure! But where's my ring?
ReplyDelete[Just kidding.]
=) - Shame on you. Those poor mermaids!
Franki - So glad to hear I'm not the only female who feels that way.
Un Ad - OK, so that is a wee bit offensive. I've been offered one before, and I turned it down. As for conscientious diamonds: I know they exist; the link I posted mentions them. And if a boy did offer me one I'd probably assume he hadn't been paying attention; I do believe in wedding bands, but I don't think there's a need to unload a great deal of cash on those, either. But to each his/her own, and I do think the most important thing here is to ascertain that if both parties think a diamond is the way to go, then they exercise smart shopping and make sure it's free of blood and slave labor.
I have to agree with the "both parties" thing. But I do hate that both parties can't help but be influenced by societal and capitalist pressures. I am glad that there are voices crying a different tune... even if my response to them is a tad offensive. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. :)
Un Ad - I'm with you on the societal pressures thing. I'm sure there are some perfectly good men out there who — despite not agreeing with what the ring "symbolizes" — would otherwise be embarrassed to not buy an intended fiancee a diamond engagement ring. It's a status thing, oftentimes even for the man. In those cases, maybe a pearl would suffice? Or, again, a diamond that's certifiably safe? Though I'm under the impression those are the most expensive.
ReplyDeleteI should probably clarify on a previous point: I didn't turn down a ring that was placed in front of me. I turned down the offer to go shopping for one.
ReplyDeleteI was always against diamonds because they seemed fiscally irresponsible, or at least unnecessary, then later I learned of the blood diamond thing, I'm hoping eventually the silly ritual will end. Maybe it'll be as unacceptable as smoking has become, someday.
ReplyDeleteI dated a woman once who requested an "engagement car." I should have been more suspicious.
ReplyDeleteI would leave a comment, but normally all I can manage when I think about the diamonds is a nearly continual stream of vocabulary only a sailor could truly appreciate.
ReplyDeleteEli - It's certainly fiscally irresponsible for most; unless, of course, you take baths in gold, a la Scrooge McDuck.
ReplyDeleteM@ - A boy once tried to get me one of those, too. But I ended things when he bought the wrong color.
[Though I kept the car of course.]
[Kidding.]
STC - I know how you feel about this topic. It's one we actually agree on.
you make me feel better about my lack of zeal for shiny stuff.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the genes.
I am with you. I am fond of the tattoo wedding ring, now thats forever!
ReplyDelete