Monday, March 9, 2009

Why are men forgotten when it comes to gifts?

I recently got engaged with my beautiful fiance. I didn't realize how much pressure it was to find an engagement ring for the one that I love. Society has put so much emphasis on the engagement ring. You commonly here these phrases when referring to an engagement ring: "Men should spend 3 months salary on the ring", "a diamond is a women's best friend", blah, blah, blah. Well what about us MEN? What do we get? Why do women get this EXTRA gift and we get NOTHING. Why can't a TV, Home Theatre with a couple of Leather Couches be a standard for the MAN ENGAGEMENT GIFT? , OR A Rolex watch. WE NEED TO SET SOMETHING IN STONE SO WE TO CAN ENJOY THE ENGAGEMENT GIFT EXCHANGE. I was talking about this with a big group of friends who were mostly couples and what a great conversation this became. The majority of the males in the conversation all agreed but never really put much thought into the whole idea. Only 1 of the 7 men in the room had received something in return and it was a whopping "leather wallet". The more we got into the heat of the conversation the ladies were beginning to get defensive and stated the men's gift was, the honor of having such wonderful women in their lives. I will not dispute that, i love my gal but that doesn't mean that i don't deserve a gift in return or for that matter all men. What drove me to think this way was one day at work, i was having a conversation with a colleague of mine and he told me story that changed my views for the rest of my life. A friend of his wanted to propose to his girlfriend so the BIG step now is "finding the ring". Well, i guess the gal had indicated to him what she was expecting or what she wanted for a ring. He was not financially set to meet such standards so the pressure began. He finally finds the ring and realizes that he is going to need at least $3000 dollars. He had budgeted for only $1000 and now is in a bind. What i am about to tell you might make you ill so please ensure that you are sitting for this next sentence. HE SOLD HIS CAR TO MAKE UP THE REST OF THE AMOUNT AND NOW IS TAKING THE BUS TO WORK. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" I ASKED. He explained to me that yes this was a true story and that he does his friend does have a bus pass now. I know that is a little crazy and over the top, but my point is that if a guy can sell his car to get a gift for his gal, then why can't we get something in return. I don't think that the amount you spend should determine the love that you have for your gal. So why do you stamp" 3 months salary as a standard"? I don't think that a dollar amount is important for us receiving a gift, but more the gesture of giving something, anything. Here are the TOP 10 engagement gift ideas that i have come up with after doing a survey with a group of friends:

1. TV
2. Home Theatre
3. Rolex Watch
4. Season tickets for a sports team
5. Golf Clubs
6. Home Gym
7. Laptop Computer
8. Poker Table and accessories
9. Gaming Package - Wii, Sony Playstation, Xbox 360
10. or just anything other than a Wallet...

I hoping some day soon that society will change the way it thinks and doesn't only focus on the women's gift, but the MEN's gift too. Maybe we will see commercials stating " a Rolex is a man's best friend"

Amo