My cousin got engaged recently which prompted discussion about weddings and naturally engagement rings yesterday at a family gathering. My boyfriend and I continued the conversation later on and he seems to have a very strange view regarding the ring. I know exactly what I would want and we have looked at styles many times together. However, after we look at them (talk about split personality) he says I should not be picking my ring because it is "a gift from him" and I should have no say in it because it must be something HE likes, not something I like. He also thinks its "ridiculous" to spend the amount it would cost to purchase my ring even though he could COMFORTABLY afford something costing 3x the price. My take is that he thinks it will make him look like an idiot if he spends money on a piece of jewelery - but I dont know why he thinks this way. I love him and want to marry him and would rather NO ring than something I dont like and will not be comfortable wearing. Its not the money that is bothering me, as I would gladly accept anything if he had the view that this was the best he could afford and he would get me what I wanted if he could. It is the fact that it is important to me and because it isnt important to him, It doesnt matter. This is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING!! I dont know how to get him to see that if something is important to me, he has to respect that and should Want to give me what I want even if HE places little importance on it.