How do you respond to “diamonds are bullshit”

[kmoro]

Hi All,

Notice that I am not going to ask if you think diamonds are bullshi, lol. I think it’s safe to assume that the people on here love diamonds for one reason or another.

I have a (single male) friend that is constantly going on about how stupid it is to buy diamonds. He likes to share this article:

https://priceonomics.com/post/45768546804/diamonds-are-bullshit

So - how do you respond to “diamonds are bullshit?”

I think that I have been successfully brainwashed, since I love diamonds so much - an engagement is an excellent excuse for such a luxury item, but for me, any reason will do. I have never made the mistake of thinking diamonds are an investment. I just simply love them ... looking at a beautiful diamond makes me feel good ... and I am fascinated by them (history, properties, etc). I think that things are worth what people are willing to pay ... and people are willing to pay a lot for diamonds. I hate that I’m a successful marketing target, but not enough to stop me from a big diamond purchase. So ...I dunno - maybe diamonds are bullshit but I still love them. I have no clever rebuttal, just an admission that I’m a sucker.

What do you think?

 

[LLJsmom]

Turn around and walk away. I wouldn’t waste my breath.

 

[bmfang]

Ask him what his favourite car is (bog standard item for a guy). If he responds with a luxury marque (say BMW, Mercedes, Audi) or a US brand (Cadillac, Chevrolet), call bullshit and ask him why a Hyundai or Toyota isn’t a better option for the simple task of transportation from A to B.

Or if he wears cologne, ask him why Brut isn’t good enough.

Of if he wears certain clothing brands, why doesn’t he make do with clothes from Walmart or Kmart instead.

Or why he would spend money on expensive coffee rather than instant.

There are a lot of irrational reasons why we humans do things and purchase things. And why we love things and people.

Yes, De Beers came up with the concept and good on them for doing so. It’s called business and marketing is a part of it.

Maybe he will be lucky and he’ll find a woman who shares his view on diamonds (and other luxuries). Otherwise, maybe he will have to enjoy the company of Ms Hand for the rest of his life.

 

[kmoro]

Turn around and walk away. I wouldn’t waste my breath.

I wasn’t expecting that but should have - especially because it’s probably the best response, lol

 

[kmoro]

Ask him what his favourite car is (bog standard item for a guy). If he responds with a luxury marque (say BMW, Mercedes, Audi) or a US brand (Cadillac, Chevrolet), call bullshit and ask him why a Hyundai or Toyota isn’t a better option for the simple task of transportation from A to B.

Or if he wears cologne, ask him why Brut isn’t good enough.

Of if he wears certain clothing brands, why doesn’t he make do with clothes from Walmart or Kmart instead.

Or why he would spend money on expensive coffee rather than instant.

There are a lot of irrational reasons why we humans do things and purchase things. And why we love things and people.

Yes, De Beers came up with the concept and good on them for doing so. It’s called business and marketing is a part of it.

Maybe he will be lucky and he’ll find a woman who shares his view on diamonds (and other luxuries). Otherwise, maybe he will have to enjoy the company of Ms Hand for the rest of his life.

Awesome! Thank you.

I actually give De Beers a lot of credit ... beyond good business, their marketing and control in the market are nothing short of genius, imo.

 

[bmfang]

I find it telling that the article ends on:

Diamonds are not actually scarce, make a terrible investment, and are purely valuable as a status symbol.​

One can make the same claim about anything that is not something that fulfills a basic necessity of life. But we humans do like to show off our status symbols.

Even if that status symbol happens to be an attitude that “my way of thinking is superior to yours” (which is effective what the author of that article is trying to do).

 

[lovedogs]

I find it telling that the article ends on:

Diamonds are not actually scarce, make a terrible investment, and are purely valuable as a status symbol.​

One can make the same claim about anything that is not something that fulfills a basic necessity of life. But we humans do like to show off our status symbols.

Even if that status symbol happens to be an attitude that “my way of thinking is superior to yours” (which is effective what the author of that article is trying to do).

Also, even if the bolded is true (which, TBH, it likely is), WHO CARES?! So are cars, designer clothes, or any other kind of jewelry. Such a moronic article.

 

[tyty333]

Tell him he is entitled to his opinion and say no more.

 

[kmoro]

@bmfang - never thought of the author’s own elitist attitude - good call!

Personally, diamonds are not a status symbol for me ... it’s more like a personal joy ... very personal, lol. If I could wear it without anyone else seeing it, that would be just fine with me.

 

[Matilda]

No reply needed. Waste of your energy, life.

He is baiting you, it is a trap.

Could even be he has insecurities of his own. Maybe he believes they are ONLY for status, so by mocking them he is out of the "status competition". I am not saying there is such a competition, just that he may believe this.

You also may risk sounding like you are apologising for your choices by "defending" diamonds.

 

[bmfang]

That article reminds me of an attitude I had in my teens when I said that I wasn’t going to buy diamonds for my future girlfriend (for the same reasons above) and that the way I’d “test” her is to have a date at Maccas (that’s McDonalds for y’all in North America) or at home eating Indomie Mi Goreng.

All the while complaining about the fact that I never had a date and suffered from “Angry Asian Man” syndrome (it was the early 2000’s)...

As the old saying goes, when you point at something, one finger is pointed towards something and three point backwards. Turns out that I had an attitude problem and the symptom of that was a lack of generosity to others.

 

[Matilda]

also what an angry journalist! aggressive writing style

 

[Tophat1]

I guess other than food, clothing and shelter, it is all bullshit

 

[tkyasx78]

If I had a "friend " like this I would just ignore them. Seeing as he isn't paying my bills or financing my retirement it really is none of his businesses what I do.
It is a fair bet I would find some of his purchases both a waste of money and dumb! He is free to spend his money how he sees fit as am I with mine. I would hope that, maybe one day that friend would find some manners and learn if he can't say something nice - keep his trap shut.

 

[Johnbt]

How do you respond? You say, "Yes, you're right. Anything else bothering you today or is that it?"

 

[bmfang]

How do you respond? You say, "Yes, you're right. Anything else bothering you today or is that it?"

That would be the sane response, but sometimes when you have nothing else better to do, you just want to indulge your debating fantasies and shut guys like this down.

 

[LLJsmom]

That article reminds me of an attitude I had in my teens when I said that I wasn’t going to buy diamonds for my future girlfriend (for the same reasons above) and that the way I’d “test” her is to have a date at Maccas (that’s McDonalds for y’all in North America) or at home eating Indomie Mi Goreng.

All the while complaining about the fact that I never had a date and suffered from “Angry Asian Man” syndrome (it was the early 2000’s)...

As the old saying goes, when you point at something, one finger is pointed towards something and three point backwards. Turns out that I had an attitude problem and the symptom of that was a lack of generosity to others.

I respect the honesty and self-awareness and wisdom you exhibit in this post.

 

[AV_]

.

Much older than bull.

... harder than

KWIM? Obvious non BS characteristics.

More subtly, diamonds are used to twart BS (to be precise - www) in highly sensitive contracts...

 

[bmfang]

.

Much older than bull.

... harder than

KWIM? Obvious non BS characteristics.

More subtly, diamonds are used to twart BS (to be precise - www) in highly sensitive contracts...

That book is...

Legend... ary.

I keep a copy of it on my phone.

 

[stonewell]

@kmoro I often find that folks who feel the need to judge or lecture others on things that bring them joy/happiness are generally miserable themselves. I pity your friend.

 

[LLJsmom]

.

Much older than bull.

... harder than

KWIM? Obvious non BS characteristics.

More subtly, diamonds are used to twart BS (to be precise - www) in highly sensitive contracts...

 

[amoline]

You ask a simple question:

Does it tickle your colon when you sneeze?

 

[stonewell]

..... Otherwise, maybe he will have to enjoy the company of Ms Hand for the rest of his life.

 

[bmfang]

I was wrangling about whether to put that line in there or not lest it offend the PS mods. If it does, please edit my post.

I can be rather... blunt, at times. With all of the subtlety of a sledgehammer slicing through a toothpick.

 

[sapphiredream]

Our entire human life is one giant irrational march.
Loving diamonds so much is just one tiny part of the whole thing. Big deal!

 

[sapphiredream]

I was wrangling about whether to put that line in there or not lest it offend the PS mods. If it does, please edit my post.

I can be rather... blunt, at times. With all of the subtlety of a sledgehammer slicing through a toothpick.

There are many women out there who'd rather not spend money on a diamond.
It's just a question of finding a partner who shares his utilitarian, pragmatic values.
This doesn't have to mean a life-long marriage with Ms. Hand.

 

[rockysalamander]

My sass tends to be very nerdy "Sorry. Check your science. Diamonds are pure carbon. Bull shit is full carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, trace minerals, fungus and lots of other stuff. Totally different ." * blink * blink *

 

[bmfang]

There are many women out there who'd rather not spend money on a diamond.
It's just a question of finding a partner who shares his utilitarian, pragmatic values.
This doesn't have to mean a life-long marriage with Ms. Hand.

I certainly know that. But having that type of an attitude can turn women off entirely such that one enters a state of premature curmudgeonship when one shouldn’t be one. And that’s when a lifelong friendship with Ms Hand may end up as the result.

I sure as heck hope that the male friend of @kmoro is a bit more smart than I was when I was thinking like that in my teens.

 

[bmfang]

My sass tends to be very nerdy "Sorry. Check your science. Diamonds are pure carbon. Bull shit is full carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, trace minerals, fungus and lots of other stuff. Totally different chemicals." * blink * blink *

oh.
Oh.
OH.
OH!!!



I’m having a When Harry Met Sally reaction to this.

 

[stonewell]

I was wrangling about whether to put that line in there or not lest it offend the PS mods. If it does, please edit my post.

I can be rather... blunt, at times. With all of the subtlety of a sledgehammer slicing through a toothpick.

Well, I appreciate brutal honesty and it’s apparent you meant it in good humor.