DeBeers Makes Me Want a Beer

Few things about the commercialism of Christmas bug me as much as - the fucking diamond ads. I'm not going to lie, I love receiving jewellery, and every girl and woman does. I used to worry that this was gold diggy or something, but then I realized that I've never bought anything more than sterling silver for myself, and never spent more than $15 I believe...so when a guy or family or friends decide to give the gift of bling, I feel spoiled and like they want me to feel spoiled and we should all hope that the people in our lives think we deserve such great treatment.....

So what bugs me so much??? It's the fucking shameless promotion of the idea that diamonds = love. And if he doesn't give you diamonds then he doesn't love you. He might love you actually, but it can't be forever, because only diamonds are forever. Not only are men pressured to spend too much money or feel guilty if they don't, but women all over are pressured to sit gnawing on their ringless fingers with nervousness over whether he loves her, and if so...if it's forever.

Diamond pendants.
Diamond earrings.
Diamond......gasp.....engagement rings.

The amount of money spent on these is ridiculous to me. Do you ever really need an pair of earrings worth $4000? And don't get me started on the engagement rings. If you have an S-ton of money to throw around then why not? right? But most people I know don't.

There was a time when these expensive monstrosities were necessary. When a woman was going to give her whole life up for a man and needed a down payment of sorts to ensure that she wasn't doing this in vain, and to insure herself against the embarrassment of a broken of engagement, or heaven forbid, even divorce.

This all isn't the case anymore. The courts are now fair to the women who've given up career to keep house and raise rug rats. No one would point and jeer when she's walking down the street because she was left before the wedding and call her damaged goods. There just isn't any need for a ring that costs an arm and a leg and a testicle.

The only reason for the engagement ring these days is the symbolism. The purpose of getting married is to start something new together, not to get in debt. Which brings me to my example - Trey and Heather of NC. My ex and I stayed with them for a while before we got our own place with a roommate. Her ring was something like $10K? I"m not sure the exact sum but they were still making payments on it.

They were making payments on it from the beginning of their engagement.
They were making payments on it when they bought a house together.
They were still making payments when they remodelled.
They were still making payments on it when they couldn't make their mortgage.
They were still making payments on it when she cheated on her husband with my roommate.
They were still making payments on it during their divorce.

I don't think I need to say more. I just don't get it.