Why Is Buying An Engagement Ring The Guy’s Job? I’d Buy One For My Boyfriend

The truth is that getting engaged isn’t just about the ring, it’s about the sentiment behind it. Maybe if guys received engagement rings, they’d finally understand. In fact, I’d be happy to be the one who proposes.

  1. We exchange wedding bands, so what’s the diff? It’s tradition for couples to exchange wedding bands on the day of their wedding, so why not exchange engagement rings too? It’s not all about the woman’s experience—both people are in the relationship.
  2. It makes things more equal. The engagement process is focused on the guy and how he has to spoil his partner with the ring and the big proposal. What if we leveled the playing field by doing something different? What if the guy and his fiancée could make the day less about her and more about both of them and their future? Giving each other engagement rings could form part of that.
  3. I want to spoil the guy. While I’m being spoiled with a fancy ring and a lovely proposal, I want to do the same for my guy in return! I want to show him how much I love him. We’re embarking on an exciting chapter in our lives, so now’s the time to spread the love by buying him a ring.
  4. He might not actually want a ring… Some guys might not even want an engagement ring, and that’s fine. If my boyfriend felt that way, I’d suggest buying him something else, some other engagement gift that marks the occasion and focuses on our future together. For me, an engagement ring is about the guy going the extra mile to show me how much he loves me and wants to build a future with me. The gift I give him can be something that represents all those things.
  5. It opens up the proposal. I might not want to propose to a guy because I still feel like I want the guy to do that, but what if that changed? Wouldn’t it be awesome to be the one to go out and buy an engagement ring for your partner and then pop the question? Who says we can’t do the ring-buying even if we’re the one being proposed to? I think that’s such a cool spin on things.
  6. He should also show his commitment. Having a sparkly engagement ring isn’t just about love and marriage, it’s about commitment. Having that ring on your finger shows the world that you’re taken. Shouldn’t the guy have one too? It shows the world that he’s with me.
  7. It makes things more equal financially. I don’t believe that engagement rings have to cost three months’ worth of rent. There are no rules. I want my fiancé to buy me whatever he feels is meaningful to me and the price tag shouldn’t matter. However, there’s no doubt that an engagement ring will always be on the pricey side. I kind of feel bad about him being the one to shell out all the money, but that said, I don’t want to buy my own engagement ring. A good compromise would be to purchase a ring for him. We’re both physically investing in the process. I like that.
  8. It’s a bonding opportunity. I can’t help but feel like the engagement ring process is a bit one-sided. It’s all about the ring the woman will wear. I’d like to buy my BF an engagement ring so that we can share in the moment together. It’s a great way to bond. We’re becoming a team for life and we have the rings (instead of team jerseys) to show it.
  9. It’s fun. I think relationships should always have an element of fun in them. It’s fun to get an engagement ring, obviously, but it would be even more fun to share in that by surprising my boyfriend with a ring of his own. That way, the event belongs to both of us.
  10. It’s unconventional and I love that. I’m all for changing wedding traditions and shaking them up a bit. For example, I think my mom would walk me down the aisle instead of my dad because we’ve always been so close. When it comes to engagement rings, I love the idea of doing something different and more meaningful for my partner and me to enjoy. After all, that’s what it’s about. I’m envisioning matching engagement rings we design ourselves. Romantic!
  11. It feels more like a promise when it’s exchanged. For me, an engagement ring is really something my partner gives me to show me that he really loves me and he’s investing in our future together. It’s a sign that we’re dealing with big guns now and our relationship isn’t something casual. It’s the real thing. It’s forever. I want us both to feel that, and how awesome would it be for my fiancé to get to wear a ring that represents that?
Giulia Simolo is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa with a degree in English Language and Literature. She has been working as a journalist for more than a decade, writing for sites including AskMen, Native Interiors, and Live Eco. You can find out more about her on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @GiuliaSimolo.
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