It’s even more revolting if you know anything about the diamond industry, aka, the biggest monopoly on the planet. Diamonds would be worth fractions of what they sell for if DeBeers didn’t have most of the world supply locked up and controlled.
Don’t buy diamonds. It’s a guarantee that you’re getting ripped off.
Ideally try not to get married to someone who doesn’t share your sense on non-consumerism. This is one reason why i believe the institution of marriage is on the decline.
It seems more like a commitment to spending that few can afford than a commitment to love.
Also, who has the fuckin cash to have a baby and buy daimonds? Don’t they know that the average kid takes about 1.9 mill to raise to the age of 18?
And carnak is 100% correct about diamonds being piled head high in lockers in Russia. they pulled tons to them out of the ground when they were coal mining back in the soviet days. debeers pays russia a cut to keep them shits under lock and key and to let debeers have the ones they want. pretty fucked up.
Buy her soap instead. girls love smelly soap.
-chris
It’s only money. She gave you a son or daughter and you’re really going to be petty about spending a few bucks on her? Maybe some of you guys should spend a little more time working and earning bank. Do that and then spending a couple of grand on some frivilous little item that puts a smile on your wife’s face wouldn’t be such a big deal…
You’re missing the point entirely. It’s not about not having the money to spend. I for one have it. But I WOULDN’T ever get me wife diamond jewelry (or any other gift) as a REWARD for having a child. The very idea of that whole practice is thoroughly revolting. The birthing of a child should NOT be turned into a fucking transaction. Similarly, having sex with one’s spouse or significant other should not be turned into a TRANSACTION.
If you cannot understand why the very idea of that turns many people’s stomachs, if it actually requires more in-depth explaining for you to understand, then I’m afraid I truly can’t help you. Do what you will.
[quote]Khronos wrote:
It’s only money. She gave you a son or daughter and you’re really going to be petty about spending a few bucks on her? Maybe some of you guys should spend a little more time working and earning bank. Do that and then spending a couple of grand on some frivilous little item that puts a smile on your wife’s face wouldn’t be such a big deal…[/quote]
[quote]Damici wrote:
You’re missing the point entirely. It’s not about not having the money to spend. I for one have it. But I WOULDN’T ever get me wife diamond jewelry (or any other gift) as a REWARD for having a child. The very idea of that whole practice is thoroughly revolting. The birthing of a child should NOT be turned into a fucking transaction. Similarly, having sex with one’s spouse or significant other should not be turned into a TRANSACTION.[/quote]
I guess it’s all in how you look at it. Of course if your relationship is at the point of where it takes such a transaction for stuff to happen, then buying her a diamond is just a symptom and ultimately meaningless. I never bought my wife any presents specifically because of our children, but I did end up making significant purchases for her around those times. I guess I saw the gesture as a show of appreciation and admiration rather than my part of some quid pro quo. She never made any expectations to me regarding such purchases, but I imagine that if I had ignored those occassions she would have been very unhappy about it. Having a baby is a tremendous effort and to take that for granted isn’t very smart for the husband who wants to have a peaceful and happy home.
[quote]Avocado wrote:
Don’t they know that the average kid takes about 1.9 mill to raise to the age of 18?
[/quote]
Whose ass did you pull that number out of? The average person won’t make that much in their entire working life.
But I agree. These women are selfish, materialistic cunts. A few grand would look a lot better in a college fund than it would on her wrist.
I do work and earn bank asshole, I make a fairly nice living by robbing women of their jewelery that some poor dumbass sap bought for them for pushing out a baby.
[quote]dk44 wrote:
I do work and earn bank asshole, I make a fairly nice living by robbing women of their jewelery that some poor dumbass sap bought for them for pushing out a baby. [/quote]
So what the hell are you complaining about?
[quote]Khronos wrote:
dk44 wrote:
I do work and earn bank asshole, I make a fairly nice living by robbing women of their jewelery that some poor dumbass sap bought for them for pushing out a baby.
So what the hell are you complaining about?[/quote]
Cut him a break. He’s from Arkansas.
DB
[quote]Khronos wrote:
I guess it’s all in how you look at it. Of course if your relationship is at the point of where it takes such a transaction for stuff to happen, then buying her a diamond is just a symptom and ultimately meaningless. I never bought my wife any presents specifically because of our children, but I did end up making significant purchases for her around those times. I guess I saw the gesture as a show of appreciation and admiration rather than my part of some quid pro quo. She never made any expectations to me regarding such purchases, but I imagine that if I had ignored those occassions she would have been very unhappy about it. Having a baby is a tremendous effort and to take that for granted isn’t very smart for the husband who wants to have a peaceful and happy home.[/quote]
Your situation is completey different than the one being discussed. You chose to give your wife a gift because you wanted to do something nice for her, nothing wrong with that. Some people may still think it is stupid to buy a diamond, but ultimately that is your decision and if you have the financial means to do so, then that is perfectly fine.
The issue here is that women EXPECT a diamond and seriously think that they are entitled to it.
[quote]Khronos wrote:
I guess it’s all in how you look at it. Of course if your relationship is at the point of where it takes such a transaction for stuff to happen, then buying her a diamond is just a symptom and ultimately meaningless. I never bought my wife any presents specifically because of our children, but I did end up making significant purchases for her around those times. I guess I saw the gesture as a show of appreciation and admiration rather than my part of some quid pro quo. She never made any expectations to me regarding such purchases, but I imagine that if I had ignored those occassions she would have been very unhappy about it. Having a baby is a tremendous effort and to take that for granted isn’t very smart for the husband who wants to have a peaceful and happy home.[/quote]
She added, �??I wonder what 17 hours of labor will get me next time?�??
The article in the OP gives off that sort of vibe. I did some work and now I expect a reward. There’s nothing wrong with buying your wife for whatever reason. The problem is this “I deserve to have lots of money spent on me” attitude.
He: Would you have sex with me for a million dollars?
She: Sure!
He: How about $5, then?
She: Of course not (slaps face). What kind of girl do you think I am?
He: I already know that. I am just trying to come to a price.
He: I already know what you are, now we’re just trying to decide on a price.
[quote]sawadeekrob wrote:
So what to do??? Not give the diamond and risk loosing sex, comfort and future kids?
Face it! Unless we as men do something soon the whole male race is bound for disaster.[/quote]
I just don’t know what the hell is wrong with these women, or even worse, the men that give in to them.
Hell, I’ve birthed 3 babies, the last 2 of them were twins. All I ever got from my husband was the high, hard one. Then he slaps my ass back to the kitchen.
Diamonds, yeah, right.
[quote]Yo Momma wrote:
sawadeekrob wrote:
So what to do??? Not give the diamond and risk loosing sex, comfort and future kids?
Face it! Unless we as men do something soon the whole male race is bound for disaster.
I just don’t know what the hell is wrong with these women, or even worse, the men that give in to them.
Hell, I’ve birthed 3 babies, the last 2 of them were twins. All I ever got from my husband was the high, hard one. Then he slaps my ass back to the kitchen.
Diamonds, yeah, right.
[/quote]
Can I get a slap too? Or maybe ya want a little slap n’ pickle!
[quote]Khronos wrote:
Damici wrote:
You’re missing the point entirely. It’s not about not having the money to spend. I for one have it. But I WOULDN’T ever get me wife diamond jewelry (or any other gift) as a REWARD for having a child. The very idea of that whole practice is thoroughly revolting. The birthing of a child should NOT be turned into a fucking transaction. Similarly, having sex with one’s spouse or significant other should not be turned into a TRANSACTION.
I guess it’s all in how you look at it. Of course if your relationship is at the point of where it takes such a transaction for stuff to happen, then buying her a diamond is just a symptom and ultimately meaningless. I never bought my wife any presents specifically because of our children, but I did end up making significant purchases for her around those times. I guess I saw the gesture as a show of appreciation and admiration rather than my part of some quid pro quo. She never made any expectations to me regarding such purchases, but I imagine that if I had ignored those occassions she would have been very unhappy about it. Having a baby is a tremendous effort and to take that for granted isn’t very smart for the husband who wants to have a peaceful and happy home.[/quote]
See here we are dealing with women buying into an invented consumerist “occasion” and insisting on the pricy gift. Not your specific generosity. If your wife had insisted then I’m sure you would have been slightly affronted.
I believe it is fine to purchase things for your wife, if you have the money. the issue is when people who don’t have the money feel obligated to spend it on shit like diamonds for babies. To compound this issue if it become culturally normal for women to insist on it then men without greater means are put in a shitty spot.
And the answer is not just to work harder. There are people (eg. the disabled, etc.) that can’t achieve the jobs that require certain educations etc.
The whole point is that consumerism is being forced on people through warm fuzzy shit like babies. Shouldn’t working you dick off be enough compensation? especially given the tenuous economic times in the US now? Should you really be buying diamonds and other shit? Why not buy your wife a fuel-efficient car instead? How about a vacation? I hear ottles of wine are a great way to celebrate an occasion, hmm? no? because neither of those have the social significance built up around them that “diamonds” do.
If diamonds are a girls best friend… she’s probably not marriage material. Fist and run.
-chris
[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
Avocado wrote:
Don’t they know that the average kid takes about 1.9 mill to raise to the age of 18?
Whose ass did you pull that number out of? The average person won’t make that much in their entire working life.
But I agree. These women are selfish, materialistic cunts. A few grand would look a lot better in a college fund than it would on her wrist.[/quote]
That is the latest longitudinal (18yrs) study in Canada, so I suppose it’s in canadian $$$. That is also within the middle class demographic and includes government spending on the child as well. So It includes supposed tax money coming back at you. Things like school, medicare blah blah. the US one would include insurance payouts and things like that that you guys pay for privately.
So that is why it seems inflated but that is the price of children not only to the parents but to the community etc.
-chris
If people choose to buy into something that’s there choice. I agree that blindly following some consumer trend is a bad idea, and not just because of what it says about the individual making the demand. But like most consumeristic trends this has at it’s foundation a kernal of truth. It is fitting and proper for a woman to receive some sort of recognition from her spouse regarding a new baby.
Baby showers are what women do for each other to commemorate the first pregnancy. Most men, well let’s add most intelligent men, also do something extravagent for their spouse on this occasion. As usual retailers are quick to seize upon this as an opportunity to create a market.
Primarily what I’m objecting to in this thread isn’t the original article and the jaded practice it reports on, but rather the total disregard many here are promoting for the woman who just had their baby. Nothing wrong with that either, but don’t be surprised that when you treat the mother of your children this way she stops wanting to have anything to do with you (and the whole can of worms that then opens up).
A lot of what was said on the first page was locker room talk. I’m going to assume you’re familiar with that. Men get in groups and the entire conversation is based on them one-upping the other.
That said, there is no reason that a women should expect to have money spent on her for having a baby. Like the article suggests, cook for her, pick up the chores around the house, etc. There’s no reason to go blow money on some ostentatious rock. How about a professional portrait of the new family all together? You can’t deny that a lot of women have this “I deserve it attitude” that’s becoming more prevalent. I actually had a girl tell me, and I quote, “I’m a princess and I deserve to be treated like one.” She was bitching that I didn’t foot the bill when we ate out.
Guess what bitch, I’m in college (read: broke) and until I feel like this is a relationship that’s headed for marriage I’m not spending my most precious resource on you. Even then, for the women to come out and suggest that “well it’s pretty common now for there to be a push present” is absolutely unacceptable.
This is without a doubt something that has been manufactured by marketing just as the engagement ring was.
[quote] Khronos
It is fitting and proper for a woman to receive some sort of recognition from her spouse regarding a new baby.
[/quote]
WHY DOESN’T THE RECOGNITION OF THE HUSBAND EVER INVOLVE SPENDING LOTS OF $$$$$$?? Women seem to think that recognizing their husband involves sucking his dick and that’s ridiculous as sex is simply a part of a relationship (unless you guys don’t have sex for whatever reason).
[quote]Avocado wrote:
Steel Nation wrote:
Avocado wrote:
Don’t they know that the average kid takes about 1.9 mill to raise to the age of 18?
Whose ass did you pull that number out of? The average person won’t make that much in their entire working life.
But I agree. These women are selfish, materialistic cunts. A few grand would look a lot better in a college fund than it would on her wrist.
That is the latest longitudinal (18yrs) study in Canada, so I suppose it’s in canadian $$$. That is also within the middle class demographic and includes government spending on the child as well. So It includes supposed tax money coming back at you. Things like school, medicare blah blah. the US one would include insurance payouts and things like that that you guys pay for privately.
So that is why it seems inflated but that is the price of children not only to the parents but to the community etc.
-chris[/quote]
More $100k per year per child seems like an awful lot. Does the Canadian govt give each kid an Italian sportscar for their 17th birthday? (Well, maybe in Alberta they do since there is so much oil money floating around).
DB