Does Size Really Matter?

Just how important is the size of the engagement ring? Of course, following through on a memorable marriage proposal is essential, too, but a girl can’t wear a proposal.

A man was preparing to propose to his girlfriend who had given him an ultimatum—either get married or get bent. His grandfather had promised him the 2.5-carat diamond he had given his wife after he had built a successful business. In the meantime, the man’s parents kept the ring in a safety deposit box. So when the time finally came, the man asked his parents for the ring he’d been promised. Instead, they showed up with a small, simple engagement ring that had belonged to another relative.

The man freaked. He’d already told his fiancée-to-be about the giant rock, and he couldn’t look like a liar. Fortunately, his girlfriend was not into jewelry, so when he mentioned the smaller ring, she said it was fine. All that mattered was that she get a commitment from him, until the next day when she changed her mind and decided she really did want the big ring. After all, did his family think she wasn’t worthy of the big ring?

Eventually, the man haggled with his parents and proposed with the 2.5-carat ring. In the end, it would seem size does matter, even when we try to pretend it doesn’t. We may want to believe we’re bigger and better and that material things such as large diamond rings don’t matter, but—darn those primitive urges—big, shiny objects will always catch our attention. Do you agree? [The New York Times]