are girls getting more greedy nowadays ?

[Dancing Fire]

do they expect a bigger diamond e-ring from their bf compare to 20-25 years ago?

 

[neatfreak]

girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling "entitled" as a whole.

 

[tlh]

Neatfreak, Ditto that!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM
Author: neatfreak
girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

Well said...

DF the answer is yes but so are guys.

 

[~*Alexis*~]

I think the standards are set higher do to outside influences (ahem...PS)..........

They also have false expectations of what Marriage is, what its about and so forth.

I do think we are a materialistic society and its about what you don''t have vs. what you do.

Its Keeping up with the Jones....it keeps everyone in debt!

 

[prettyarmor]

Well I did not "expect" a bigger diamond when I got engaged a few weeks ago but I sure was secretly (ok not so secretly) thrilled with the 1.5 solitaire my fiance chose.

I never knew how pleased I would be with such a ring.




ok so maybe I kind of had an idea

 

[elrohwen]

Ditto NF.

I think young couples may also be making more money than in the past because women often have college degress and make just as much as their FIs. Even if the girl doesn''t help pay for her ring, she can help cover rent and bills and things while her guy saves up his paychecks.

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:40:33 AM
Author: prettyarmor
Well I did not ''expect'' a bigger diamond when I got engaged a few weeks ago but I sure was secretly (ok not so secretly) thrilled with the 1.5 solitaire my fiance chose.

I never knew how pleased I would be with such a ring.




ok so maybe I kind of had an idea

hmm are there photos of this 1.5 ct beauty on pricescope

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:16:02 AM
Author:Dancing Fire
do they expect a bigger diamond e-ring from their bf compare to 20-25 years ago?

I don''t think it''s greed per se, the world has just changed a bit more. It''s acceptable to wear diamonds in the day time, more families are two income families, people are waiting to have children.... I am not going to lie I had high expectations. That was only because I work and earn money and know what''s realiistic.

 

[bee*]

I agree with NF-I think that everyone is expecting more. I think that every generation likes to keep up with their peers so that''s what''s happening with people now.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:25:24 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM

Author: neatfreak

girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

Well said...


DF the answer is yes but so are guys.

Yep.

 

[AprilBaby]

Do they expect bigger rings? Yes. In 1978 a .50 was considered large. Are they greedy? No. A 1.0 seems to be considered average with anything above icing on the cake. Times change, salaries change. What about men and cars?

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/5/2009 11:40:43 AM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 1/5/2009 9:25:24 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM

Author: neatfreak

girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

Well said...


DF the answer is yes but so are guys.

Yep.

Agreed.

 

[SailorsSweet<3]

Theres so many social and economic aspects to take into account. With the way the stock market is now I have a feeling the diamond sizes will shrink down again somewhat. Also - there were still stronger social status influences 20-25 years ago than there are now. A couple who came from wealthy families and had intentions of getting engaged was expected to have a larger engagement stone where as working class couples would have seemed irrational if they were to both save for a larger stone. Is the movement of society away from those harsher social classes progression or just what everyone thought was financial comfort and lack of hesitation towards credit or money lending? I have a feeling it''ll change if things stay the way they are in this market.

 

[prettyarmor]

No photos yet Sizzle as I am kind of new. I have been lurking for a couple of months in anticipation of getting my ring--placating myself with all the wonderful photos and information you guys have shared.

BUT I will glady post one soon and brag about it in "show me the ring"

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM
Author: neatfreak
girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

thritto or else we wouldn''t be in the crisis we are in now.

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 1/5/2009 11:50:31 AM
Author: SailorsSweet<3
Theres so many social and economic aspects to take into account. With the way the stock market is now I have a feeling the diamond sizes will shrink down again somewhat. Also - there were still stronger social status influences 20-25 years ago than there are now. A couple who came from wealthy families and had intentions of getting engaged was expected to have a larger engagement stone where as working class couples would have seemed irrational if they were to both save for a larger stone. Is the movement of society away from those harsher social classes progression or just what everyone thought was financial comfort and lack of hesitation towards credit or money lending? I have a feeling it''ll change if things stay the way they are in this market.

but isn''t everyone really trying to either be or give the illusion of being, not just middle class, but upper middle class? At times it seems almost a desperate desire with all of the expectations of having Kathy and Coach and Tiffany Silver, and then those who can''t afford that are getting the knock offs. Then when that wasn''t good enough they''ve gone up to Louis V and Cartier and of course those are being knocked off at warp speed as well. I think going for small, unique rings will be the new thing soon.

 

[prettyarmor]

What do you guys consider big anyway?

I start describing diamonds as "big" a 1.5 and up...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Bigger/more expensive is better in every sector. Houses are bigger, TVs are bigger, more cars per family are better, etc. People simply cannot have enough to feel satisfied. Our society has a very screwed up sense of priorities.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:16:02 AM
Author:Dancing Fire
do they expect a bigger diamond e-ring from their bf compare to 20-25 years ago?

Yes, I think so. When I got engaged my ring (.80 in the center) was about "average" in my circle of friends. Now, as time goes on and more of my friends are getting engaged the rings are getting bigger, bigger and bigger. My one SIL has 1.5 in the center and my other SIL is expecting to be engaged within a year and she has her eye on a 2.0+. Neither have a lot of money and I wouldn''t consider them wealthy.

I also think it has to do with "keeping up with the Joneses". If your friend gets a bigger stone than you don''t you feel a slight twinge of jealousy? When SIL came home with her 1.5 all I could do is stare - she''s not even into jewelry and she comes home with that rock on her finger! In reality I don''t really care because there''s always going to be someone with a ring that''s bigger/better/etc. but it was still like WTH for me hahahaha.

 

[prettyarmor]

FTR I don''t like big TVs--and I always wanted a big house til I had to clean it. Big cars...too much gas

But diamonds??? BIG BIG BIG

^shallow sounding I know but it''s hard to resist (hangs head in shame)

 

[vespergirl]

I think it might be regional too - in NY, where I grew up, my mom''s 1.5 ct marquise with .5 cttw baguettes was considered about average, and they were engaged in 1968. When I got engaged to my fi, were were both older (he was 34), established in high-paying careers, and we each already owned a home. I wanted at least 1.5 cts because that''s what my mom had, and I ultimately ended up with a 2 ct. However, my husband''s family is from a rural area of the midwest, and his mom''s ering is .5 cttw - she got a big 1.5 ct as an anniversary gift later, but since they were from a more rural area where you didn''t really see big diamonds, her originaly set was more in line with what you saw in her area growing up.

 

[prettyarmor]

Since I''m new I hate to put myself out there with a double entendre like "size matters"



oops



But seriously geographical region is a really good point. But I don''t think anyone could argue that a 2ct was anything less than large--except maybe in Hollywood.

 

[Rhea]

Date: 1/5/2009 9:25:24 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM

Author: neatfreak

girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

Well said...


DF the answer is yes but so are guys.

What they said.

I think that we expect more in all areas of our lives. My ipod is dying and DH and I were talking about the expected life of electronics. Things aren''t built to last, technology and fashion are constantly changing, and media makes it easy for us to keep up with and compare ourselves to others. On average, we have more expendable income than previous generations and we want more, bigger, better, faster.

 

[Steel]

"Gooses, geeses
I want my geese to lay gold eggs for easter
At least a hundred a day
And by the way
I want a feast
I want a bean feast
Cream buns and doughnuts
And fruitcake with no nuts
So good you could go nuts

No, now

I want a ball
I want a party
Pink macaroons
And a million balloons
And performing baboons and
Give it to me now
I want the world
I want the whole world
I want to lock it
All up in my pocket
It''s my bar of chocolate
Give it to me now
I want today
I want tomorrow
I want to wear ''em
Like braids in my hair and
I don''t want to share ''em
I want a party with roomfuls of laughter
Ten thousand tons of ice cream
And if I don''t get the things I am after
I''m going to scream
I want the works
I want the whole works
Presents and prizes
And sweets and surprises
Of all shapes and sizes

And now

Don''t care how, I want it now
Don''t care how, I want it now"

 

[angel_nieves]

I have to agree with the sentiment that most young folk feel “entitled”.

However it is not always the female who feels that a bigger e-ring is expected. When my hubby and I first got together and he purposed (seven years ago) my mother gave me a three stone oec cut ring that was my grandmother’s dinner ring. To me it was beautiful but the center diamond was about .25 and side diamonds where .15. My hubby thought it was too small for my e ring and he bought me a .75 diamond solitaire. I now have a 2 ct solitaire that I love and cherish!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/5/2009 12:59:08 PM
Author: prettyarmor
FTR I don''t like big TVs--and I always wanted a big house til I had to clean it. Big cars...too much gas

But diamonds??? BIG BIG BIG

^shallow sounding I know but it''s hard to resist (hangs head in shame)

that''s okay....this is a diamond forum.

 

[Haven]

Date: 1/5/2009 12:52:55 PM
Author: MC
Bigger/more expensive is better in every sector. Houses are bigger, TVs are bigger, more cars per family are better, etc. People simply cannot have enough to feel satisfied. Our society has a very screwed up sense of priorities.

I completely agree, MC. It is really astounding to see the amount of things, and the size of the things people acquire, even in their twenties. I have no idea what the cause is, but I agree that our priorities are completely screwed up.

DH and I have been taking inventory on the relative quality of life in cities worldwide for a couple of years now. There are a few "quality of life" rankings, but even those rankings don''t target what we''re looking for. We want QUALITY of life--a relaxed lifestyle, meandering streets, friendly neighbors who are an active part of our community, a focus on quality relationships, etc. (Copenhagen is ALWAYS on the list, by the way.)

DFire--I don''t know if I''d say it''s greed or an utter inability (or refusal?) to live within one''s means for fear of not being able to "keep up" with others.

The saddest thing is that this race to keep up with everyone else clouds an individual''s ability to pursue what really makes them happy. If you''re too busy looking to others to determine what clothes/jewelry/cars to buy, where to live and in what type of house, where to vacation, how to spend your free time, etc. then you never really explore anything that makes you happy. That''s just sad.

I know you probably think I shouldn''t talk, sitting here with my 2 ct engagement ring, but here''s the thing: I know what makes me happy. Diamonds and used books. Small, cozy homes and meandering bike paths. Throw blankets stuffed in wicker baskets and NPR. Live music and homemade mashed potatoes. Money in the bank and zero debt. People can look at me and think I''m trying to look like I belong to a some coveted higher class because I wear a particular engagement ring, but that''s okay, because all I''m trying to do is surround myself with people and things that make me happy.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/5/2009 2:43:13 PM
Author: prettyarmor
Since I''m new I hate to put myself out there with a double entendre like ''size matters''

It''s ok. Remember who started this thread? Crazy old DF.

 

[steph72276]

Date: 1/5/2009 12:32:52 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 1/5/2009 9:18:51 AM

Author: neatfreak

girls? I think society is getting more greedy/feeling ''entitled'' as a whole.

thritto or else we wouldn''t be in the crisis we are in now.

Exactly! Most people these days have an "I want it all and I want it now" kind of attitude. Perhaps some of that is changing a bit now with the way the economy is though...