Engagement Rings

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Glad that policy was changed. My opinion will always be Safety (NO) Family First! I will marry a person, my fiancée, not my job. I have no problems with excessive jewelry, piercings, loose clothing, what have you being restricted. Wedding rings however, different story! I do know some people that buy "work" rings too. Nothing wrong with that. But I want that symbol on my finger and so does my fiancée.

Hey, Slim, are you saying your employers forbid wedding bands? I've got serious issues with that.

About two years ago they came out with a "no jewelry" policy. Nothing. No wedding bands, no earrings, not even a Mr. T style feather was allowed. I work in a factory with machinery and lots of moving parts so there was at least a valid reason for them to issue the new order; Safety First.

However, about a week into it, so many people were b!tching about not being able to wear their wedding rings that they amended the policy and allowed wedding bands to be worn. They've loosened up quite a bit on enforcement of the policy (some of the girls are even sporting engagement rings without wedding bands) but it is now "officially" allowed to wear one.

I choose to not wear mine at work because I happen to like all my fingers, including my ring finger and I know sooner or later if I wore my ring, it'd be melted to the side of a plastic bag along with what's left of my finger. It's a pretty simple titanium band so it probably wouldn't get cut or break but my finger is pretty maleable so that'd probably be what separated from my body. The ring would just be sitting there mocking me.

My wife works in a sandwich shop so she's always getting messy hands and chooses not to wear hers on that account. Plus, hers has a pearl and some small diamonds on it (not really a traditional band but that's the one she wanted... special ring for a special girl!) so she doesn't want it to get messed up either.

We wear them when we get "dressed up" or go out together somewhere. Daily though, neither one of us really wears one. We almost didn't even buy them as it wasn't a big issue for either of us but my parents "donated" the money for them a few days, actually, I think it was the day before, the wedding. Since then, the longest I've worn mine was while we were on vacation. I have a nice "worn" spot of dry, cracked skin on my ring finger now. It's ugly, but it's not enough to make me chance getting caught in some gears.

(I have a buddy at work who has a "work" wedding ring and a "home" wedding ring. He left his work ring at the wash basin one day and thought he lost it. He wasn't very worried about it and we were all like, "Yo man, your wife's gonna kick your @$$ when she finds out you lost your wedding band." He said, "Naw man. That's just my work ring. My home ring is safe and sound. That one was just a $20 Wal-Mart special that I wear around here at work so I don't mess up my other one." He still has all his fingers..... and never got his @$$ kicked.)

[Satellite 1]

I want that symbol on my finger and so does my fiancée.

So if you were too poor to afford wedding bands, would you feel your marriage is somehow incomplete or inadequate?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Where did I say or imply that? I said, "I" and "my fiancée" Those two people "want that symbol". What do I care if someone does not want to wear a wedding band?

I want that symbol on my finger and so does my fiancée.

So if you were too poor to afford wedding bands, would you feel your marriage is somehow incomplete or inadequate?

[Satellite 1]

I want that symbol on my finger and so does my fiancée.

So if you were too poor to afford wedding bands, would you feel your marriage is somehow incomplete or inadequate?

Very few people are too poor to afford a simple wedding band, especially if they can afford to marry. Even a simple 14k band can be found in a pawn shop for pennies on the dollar.

Really I have a hard time believing that when over 1 billion people on this planet live on less than $1 a day. Yet I am sure they still go through some sort of marital ceremony.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty

Edited January 9, 2008 by Satellite

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Well I can not speak for the other billion. For my fiancée and I it is nice to be able to look at something physical, to touch it, to caress and feel it on your finger, and know that it is a symbol of everlasting commitment. As for worth, Hell, it could be a Crackerjack ring.

What are you picking at anyway? That because some of us like and appreciate the tradition and symbology of a ring, we are superficial and incapable of seeing the bigger picture?

I want that symbol on my finger and so does my fiancée.

So if you were too poor to afford wedding bands, would you feel your marriage is somehow incomplete or inadequate?

Very few people are too poor to afford a simple wedding band, especially if they can afford to marry. Even a simple 14k band can be found in a pawn shop for pennies on the dollar.

Really I have a hard time believing that when over 1 billion people on this planet live on less than $1 a day. Yet I am sure they still go through some sort of marital ceremony.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty

[slim 1,533]

There is a "symbol" in almost every culture to commemorate a wedding or union of people. It may be a simple action witnessed by one's family, community and peers (like jumping over a broom, breaking a lightbulb, etc.) or it may be very expensive (like a diamond-encrusted platinum band that is worn on a finger every minute of every day) and then there are the really permanent things like scarring and branding. Either way, marriage is usually "symbolized" by something, even by poor people.

Traditionally, in my neighborhood, at least, it's usually symbolized by the woman having a very swollen abdomen at the wedding.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

During this recent trip to Moscow, I presented Sasha with a 1 carat diamond in an antique setting on a platinum band encrusted with 6 small diamonds. She was very pleasantly surprised. I also officially asked her parents' permission.....in Russian even!! Oy. That was extremely difficult! Then I re-proposed to her as her parents witnessed. We had been engaged for a long while, hence the 129f in July, but I never officially had the chance to ask her parents in person. They gave us their blessings of course, then we had a nice dinner to celebrate afterwards with her extended family. We agreed that it was best to wear wedding bands on the right hand while in Russia and on the left while in the States. I was a little worried about someone noticing her ring and trying to steal it, but then I noticed how snug her ring fits. I'm confident that stone is going nowhere. Since I bought the ring here and she was there, I had to make a rough guess to her finger size. Wanted it to be a surprise. I must say that it is a perfect fit for security. Would take a tub of Crisco to ease that baby off! well, not really. but you get the idea.

Her family was certainly not used to such a tradition. And they seemed to really like the ring. Most Russians don't wear engagement rings, and some dont even wear wedding rings. And I noticed that when women do wear wedding rings, they are simple yellow gold bands without stones. So, I'm sure to most Russians Sasha will appear to be married already. Fine by me.

Edited January 12, 2008 by Jason-Sasha

[slim 1,533]

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

Hahaha! Yes indeed! As you know they eat that stuff on everything. In fact the buckets they buy it in (yes, I said buckets, because that's what they are ) are so bigyou need a hatchback automobile just to get it home! My soon to be brother-in-law got me hooked on a dollop of mayo in my soup. Actually not bad. And let's not get started on ketchup. Lord, how they drink that stuff down!!! Anyway, sorry to be so off topic here. Back to rings, everyone.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I with you on the mayonnaise, 100%, but catsup is less of thing, it seems, in my fiancée's parts. I didn't see catsup in many grocery carts or cafés. They seem to only slather it on at the local McDonald's.

That is one fine ring you got Sasha!

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

Hahaha! Yes indeed! As you know they eat that stuff on everything. In fact the buckets they buy it in (yes, I said buckets, because that's what they are ) are so bigyou need a hatchback automobile just to get it home! My soon to be brother-in-law got me hooked on a dollop of mayo in my soup. Actually not bad. And let's not get started on ketchup. Lord, how they drink that stuff down!!! Anyway, sorry to be so off topic here. Back to rings, everyone.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I with you on the mayonnaise, 100%, but catsup is less of thing, it seems, in my fiancée's parts. I didn't see catsup in many grocery carts or cafés. They seem to only slather it on at the local McDonald's.

That is one fine ring you got Sasha!

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

Hahaha! Yes indeed! As you know they eat that stuff on everything. In fact the buckets they buy it in (yes, I said buckets, because that's what they are ) are so bigyou need a hatchback automobile just to get it home! My soon to be brother-in-law got me hooked on a dollop of mayo in my soup. Actually not bad. And let's not get started on ketchup. Lord, how they drink that stuff down!!! Anyway, sorry to be so off topic here. Back to rings, everyone.

Yeah, it is quite a ring! A fine one indeed. But I'm sorry if I sounded as though I was bragging. I didn't mean to. Though I am pretty proud of it. And sooo happy that Sasha loves it so much. She won't take it off her finger. Or can't...don't really know!! Hahaha. Man, they've got ketchup in dozens of styles and flavors on the shelves in the stores. Perhaps you didnt recognize it because the bottles are quite different looking that ours. They have about as many varieties as we have for barbeque sauces. I absolutely love Шашлык (shashlyk) and it used to horrify me when they would smear it all over those luscious pieces marinated pork chunks. I will use flavored ketchup occasionally on it just for something a little different. But generally I dont use it on anything. I've seen Russians dip their pizza in ketchup, but never seen it with mayo. In fact Russian pizza just makes me cringe. Its not pizza at all. I'd rather frozen pork in flavorless gelatin. Yuk!! That's really the only Russian food I dont like. Well, that and some variations of Salo....or however its spelled in English. Nothing like slabs of cold pig fat with the skin and hair still in tact....mmmmm yummy. Took me a while to get used to orange caviar. Growing up, my father and I actually bought that stuff at bait shops before fishing for rainbow trout. In Ct that's the only place you can find the stuff. Bait shops. Tricky getting them little bastards on the hooks.

Damn, what have we done to the ring thread?! #######. Sorry.

Edited January 12, 2008 by Jason-Sasha

[slim 1,533]

Pizza with mayo is awesome! Of course, I'm a pizza lover in genearl so my oppinion may be somewhat biased. Some really good pizza is with mashed potatoes baked between two layers of crust, topped with mayo and cheese, veggies, shrimp, calamari and of all things, corn. It's available from Domino's.... in Korea.

We went to the Pizza Hut in Moscow. It was very upscale, I was a bit surprised. I guess when you pay $60 for pizza, breadsticks, salads and a few beers, you better be in an upscale place.

Russians were ahead of their time in the ketchup department. I was making "mexican ketchup" for a long time by adding Tobasco to my ketchup. When I went to Moscow, it was one of the 57 varieties already being sold.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I didn't think you were bragging! Just proud for Sasha. Nothing wrong with that.

I did understand about the catsup. I just didn't consider the other varieties as true catsup! As someone that likes mayonnaise, a lot, I'm always happy with it's presence in everything. I'm thinking some on pizza could be very tasty.

In Kazan', they have two pizzerias that serve American style. It still is not right but far closer and better than the Russian style that tastes like flavoured cardboard.

I with you on the mayonnaise, 100%, but catsup is less of thing, it seems, in my fiancée's parts. I didn't see catsup in many grocery carts or cafés. They seem to only slather it on at the local McDonald's.

That is one fine ring you got Sasha!

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

Hahaha! Yes indeed! As you know they eat that stuff on everything. In fact the buckets they buy it in (yes, I said buckets, because that's what they are ) are so bigyou need a hatchback automobile just to get it home! My soon to be brother-in-law got me hooked on a dollop of mayo in my soup. Actually not bad. And let's not get started on ketchup. Lord, how they drink that stuff down!!! Anyway, sorry to be so off topic here. Back to rings, everyone.

Yeah, it is quite a ring! A fine one indeed. But I'm sorry if I sounded as though I was bragging. I didn't mean to. Though I am pretty proud of it. And sooo happy that Sasha loves it so much. She won't take it off her finger. Or can't...don't really know!! Hahaha. Man, they've got ketchup in dozens of styles and flavors on the shelves in the stores. Perhaps you didnt recognize it because the bottles are quite different looking that ours. They have about as many varieties as we have for barbeque sauces. I absolutely love Шашлык (shashlyk) and it used to horrify me when they would smear it all over those luscious pieces marinated pork chunks. I will use flavored ketchup occasionally on it just for something a little different. But generally I dont use it on anything. I've seen Russians dip their pizza in ketchup, but never seen it with mayo. In fact Russian pizza just makes me cringe. Its not pizza at all. I'd rather frozen pork in flavorless gelatin. Yuk!! That's really the only Russian food I dont like. Well, that and some variations of Salo....or however its spelled in English. Nothing like slabs of cold pig fat with the skin and hair still in tact....mmmmm yummy. Took me a while to get used to orange caviar. Growing up, my father and I actually bought that stuff at bait shops before fishing for rainbow trout. In Ct that's the only place you can find the stuff. Bait shops. Tricky getting them little bastards on the hooks.

Damn, what have we done to the ring thread?! #######. Sorry.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I didn't think you were bragging! Just proud for Sasha. Nothing wrong with that.

I did understand about the catsup. I just didn't consider the other varieties as true catsup! As someone that likes mayonnaise, a lot, I'm always happy with it's presence in everything. I'm thinking some on pizza could be very tasty.

In Kazan', they have two pizzerias that serve American style. It still is not right but far closer and better than the Russian style that tastes like flavoured cardboard.

I with you on the mayonnaise, 100%, but catsup is less of thing, it seems, in my fiancée's parts. I didn't see catsup in many grocery carts or cafés. They seem to only slather it on at the local McDonald's.

That is one fine ring you got Sasha!

Cool!

Although, if she needs to get that ring off while in Russia, there's probably a whole lot of Mayo that would be readily available.

Hahaha! Yes indeed! As you know they eat that stuff on everything. In fact the buckets they buy it in (yes, I said buckets, because that's what they are ) are so bigyou need a hatchback automobile just to get it home! My soon to be brother-in-law got me hooked on a dollop of mayo in my soup. Actually not bad. And let's not get started on ketchup. Lord, how they drink that stuff down!!! Anyway, sorry to be so off topic here. Back to rings, everyone.

Yeah, it is quite a ring! A fine one indeed. But I'm sorry if I sounded as though I was bragging. I didn't mean to. Though I am pretty proud of it. And sooo happy that Sasha loves it so much. She won't take it off her finger. Or can't...don't really know!! Hahaha. Man, they've got ketchup in dozens of styles and flavors on the shelves in the stores. Perhaps you didnt recognize it because the bottles are quite different looking that ours. They have about as many varieties as we have for barbeque sauces. I absolutely love Шашлык (shashlyk) and it used to horrify me when they would smear it all over those luscious pieces marinated pork chunks. I will use flavored ketchup occasionally on it just for something a little different. But generally I dont use it on anything. I've seen Russians dip their pizza in ketchup, but never seen it with mayo. In fact Russian pizza just makes me cringe. Its not pizza at all. I'd rather frozen pork in flavorless gelatin. Yuk!! That's really the only Russian food I dont like. Well, that and some variations of Salo....or however its spelled in English. Nothing like slabs of cold pig fat with the skin and hair still in tact....mmmmm yummy. Took me a while to get used to orange caviar. Growing up, my father and I actually bought that stuff at bait shops before fishing for rainbow trout. In Ct that's the only place you can find the stuff. Bait shops. Tricky getting them little bastards on the hooks.

Damn, what have we done to the ring thread?! #######. Sorry.

No worries Jeff. I knew you personally didnt think I was bragging. It just occurred to me that other readers might see it that way. Yes, I dont mind mayo. but I'm not a fan of the ketchup. Mayo must be even more popular in Korea. Because most of the mayo I've seen in Russia comes in large buckets with Korean writing all over them. I tried Russian pizza once and it was just like you say. Cardboard. And they even put pickles on the thing. Somewhere Italians were crying as I ate it.

[slim 1,533]

Mayo must be even more popular in Korea. Because most of the mayo I've seen in Russia comes in large buckets with Korean writing all over them.

Now that's ironic because when I was in Korea I couldn't find mayo in anything larger than a big squeeze bottle. My Russian roommate and all her friends used to have me buy bigger jars of it from the base because we couldn't buy it in the local shops. Then again, we didn't go to the big supermarkets, only to the local neighborhood markets. I used to buy a $#!tload of sour cream too!

But Koreans, being just like Americans, will produce and market anything, even if they really don't like it that much as long as someone will buy it.