My co-worker T got engaged over the weekend and conveyed the glad tidings to us this morning. Much friendly bantering ensued and, like a birthday boy, T did not get much done today besides basking in the attention. By popular demand, he promised to be available until there were visible signs of his hitched status. A date for the wedding has not been fixed yet.
Later in the afternoon, we went into a meeting where T was the only man. One woman congratulated him. Soon everyone knew and "Oohs" and "Aahs" followed. Then there were questions. "So how did she react?" "How did you propose?" "Was she expecting it ?" (The answer to which was "I guess it was about time. We've been dating seven years. She has waited enough.")
Nevertheless, the ladies persisted "Did you go down on your knee when you proposed?" (Acting out the Cinderella and Prince Charming fantasy I guess.) "She must be overjoyed ?" "Have you decided where you'll be getting married?" (Was this going to be a destination wedding or a theme wedding? T presumably is a destination kinda guy.) And finally, "What does the ring look like?" T went on to describe it and the ladies cooed en-masse, "How beautiful!"
I came to see a very interesting contrast between the reactions of a random bunch of men and women to the news of T's engagement, especially in light of the fact that his girlfriend "had waited long enough." The women illustrated why T believed he had done the girl a favor by deciding to marry her at long last. She had waited for him long enough to make her worthy of the honor and privilege. One guy reminded T that he had "upgraded" his girlfriend's status by getting engaged but nothing had changed for him. T was in complete agreement.
Article comments
1 - Cityscape
I would have been somewhat offended, too, but I never ceased to be amazed at the attitudes some people have about marriage. I agree with you -- engagement should be an "upgrade" for both parties, in that the couple is lucky to have each other. I don't appreciate the idea that women are all trying to "catch" a man. It's an idea put forth by TV and pop culture. If marriage is not seen as an equally good deal for both parties, it's no wonder that so many marriages don't last.
2 - slice_of_life
I wish I could have disagreed. My daughter got engaged recently. Her boyfriend of five years, and now fiance, makes no bones about the fact that he popped the question only because she gave him an ultimatum.
"I'm screwed," was his tangential, only-half-joking reply, when someone asked him a question regarding some post-wedding plans. He had no qualms about saying that in front of me.
May be he thinks it's okay, or even natural, for a guy to feel this way. I'm just wondering how it would be if my daughter had ever expressed such a view in front of her desi in-laws.