Respect the bling?

[reader]

Have you ever been treated differently because of your ring?

 

[athenaworth]

Funny, I thought I would, but I guess because I live in LA and work in Bev Hills, nothing surprises anyone, but I do get more respect when I carry my expensive purses.

 

[Circe]

Differently, yes. Different-positive? ... not that I'm aware of.

My ring is pretty normal for NY or LA at a carat and a half, but in Sweden it's stupidly large. The first time I visited, everybody but everybody looked at it wide-eyed. I sort of figured that would go away ... nope! It's a significant cultural difference, the allocation of funds for bling.

 

[reader]

I took myself to a moderately restaurant for my after birthday solo beach trip this year. I have been in there many times with men....my former husband, guy friends, relatives. This time, I had my diamonds on my right hand, and had trouble getting seated at a table. Servers ignored me. When I popped my rings to my left, and casually started texting some friends on my iphone, I got really great service right away.

When I was getting married, I didn't wear my rings to the bridal shops while trying on dresses, because I didn't want to run the risk of damaging delicate fabrics. I was soundly ignored at my local store. One day, after work, I popped in with my grubby work clothes but my rings on to pick up a tiara. The salesgirls kept fawning and tried to make appointments for me to see dresses. They seemed crushed when I told them I already had a dress, and that I had been ignored before.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

No, no one about my ring. At least within the last few years. I'm sure there have been things said behind my back. . .

Some have treated me negatively b/c of my other diamonds. . .one relative on DH's side rolled her eyes at me when I was wearing one of my diamond pendants. Another glared when I had my earrings on. Love how I'm a bad bad person for wearing a diamond pendant when I choose to do so and sacrifice other purchases. . .like pairing it with an old navy t-shirt. Still I'm the evil one!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Differently, yes. Different-positive? ... not that I'm aware of.

My ring is pretty normal for NY or LA at a carat and a half, but in Sweden it's stupidly large. The first time I visited, everybody but everybody looked at it wide-eyed. I sort of figured that would go away ... nope! It's a significant cultural difference, the allocation of funds for bling.

Very true. The first time I went to the US for a work event, I couldn't stop staring at the rings. One of the trainers (a very sucessful consultant) had a huge 3 stone ring (I guess that the center stone was 2.5cts, with 1ct sides). That thing was huge and gorgeous! You just don't see rings like that around here (my 0.3ct OMC is considered large!).

 

[yssie]

In Baltimore I find I'm definitely treated differently at the same places when I'm wearing jewellery vs. not - fawning is a good word In SF hardly anyone ever notices!

 

[Gypsy]

Yup. Depends where I am. But I work at a Consulting company and most of the new hires are straight out of school early twenty somethings. I am an experienced hire and older than them. So every time I attend a training with my ring on it gets me looks. Some good, some not so good. I do not have a big stone either. It's a 6mm square emerald cut ... but it does have a bright and flashy halo.

It's funny people start with my ring then I see their eyes wander and note my pendant (large but not flashy as it is mostly white gold with .66 ctw of bezelled diamonds) and then my earrings (1 ctw of bezelled diamonds, 4 diamonds per earring). When I wear my ring I usually wear my watch, earrings and pendant (depending on neckline of top, though) .It's not super blingy, my pieces aren't flashy (except for the halo) but they are diamonds and apparently even tasteful diamonds lead the young ones to certain conclusions.

 

[Amethyste]

Nah.... When people look at how I dress, they all probably think it's fake anyways...
NH residents are very low key on the rock sizes - ( Blu and I live in NH ) But I did get a very lovely
compliment from a waitress saying that my ring was gorgeous. That was nice She got an extra tip that time

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

Yes, but not because of the size of the diamond. The fact that I was engaged (now married) somehow validated my existence in the eyes of some acquaintances. Needless to day, I'm glad to be married, but I don't view it as some sort of higher existence or exclusive club.

 

[monarch64]

I don't think so...I haven't noticed any special treatment, positive or negative, since I started wearing my e-ring. I tend to only notice how I'm treated when it's negative, though, and that so seldom happens that I have never blamed it on my jewelry. I've received a lot of compliments on my ring (the only major diamond piece I currently own/wear), but they've all been from people who know me personally. Hmm. I am going to have to start making a point to get my left hand where random people can SEE it so I can bring some productive results back to this thread!!!

 

[LGK]

Nah.... When people look at how I dress, they all probably think it's fake anyways...
NH residents are very low key on the rock sizes - ( Blu and I live in NH ) But I did get a very lovely
compliment from a waitress saying that my ring was gorgeous. That was nice She got an extra tip that time

Total ditto. I have total strangers ask if my ring is real quite often. And sometimes if they freak me out, I say no, it's fake!

I think people tend to be boggled enough by my personal sense of style that my rings really don't come into play in how they treat me, lol. They're too busy reacting to the tattoos and whatnot.

 

[Haven]

No, I don't think so.

I see the biggest change in the way others treat me when I'm wearing a big smile. I have never noticed a change in the way I'm treated just because I wear a big rock. When I'm kind and smiling at people, I get a lot of free food in restaurants, superior service, polite conversation, and just a pleasant time in general. On the rare occasion that I'm not wearing a genuine broad smile, I do see a difference.

 

[Haven]

I took myself to a moderately restaurant for my after birthday solo beach trip this year. I have been in there many times with men....my former husband, guy friends, relatives. This time, I had my diamonds on my right hand, and had trouble getting seated at a table. Servers ignored me. When I popped my rings to my left, and casually started texting some friends on my iphone, I got really great service right away.

When I was getting married, I didn't wear my rings to the bridal shops while trying on dresses, because I didn't want to run the risk of damaging delicate fabrics. I was soundly ignored at my local store. One day, after work, I popped in with my grubby work clothes but my rings on to pick up a tiara. The salesgirls kept fawning and tried to make appointments for me to see dresses. They seemed crushed when I told them I already had a dress, and that I had been ignored before.

I would have been tempted to ignore you when you pulled your cell phone out in a restaurant.

I find this pretty shocking behavior, and it makes me want to know where you live. You don't have to give specifics, but do you live in a small town, perhaps? I can't imagine people behaving this way in a metropolitan area, especially one with a diverse population. These servers would ignore all of my Greek friends, for example, because they all wear their rings on their right hands after marriage. And here in Chicago, at least, so many married people go without rings even after marriage.

Your experience in that salon reminds me of Pretty Woman. I can't believe people who earn a living based on sales would ignore any potential client, how stupid of them. Their loss!

 

[jaysonsmom]

No, I don't think so.

I see the biggest change in the way others treat me when I'm wearing a big smile. I have never noticed a change in the way I'm treated just because I wear a big rock. When I'm kind and smiling at people, I get a lot of free food in restaurants, superior service, polite conversation, and just a pleasant time in general. On the rare occasion that I'm not wearing a genuine broad smile, I do see a difference.

I AGREE TOTALLY. I wanted to post this several times. I'm always treated well and respectfully because I go through life with a smile and a nod. When I was planning my Paris trip, people told me the french were cold, and rude. I found that to be totally untrue. People I met in Paris were always courteous, and even friendly. I don't think anyone noticed my wedding set (which pretty big by Euro standards), they were looking at my face. Even my SIL who lives in Paris told me that no one ever said Bonjour to her the whole 1.5 years she's lived there until I tagged along her to go shopping. I think she just gives this off this "Don't look at me" air. I just don't "get" the people who want to come across as bitchy.....and I know several people here who admitted to being like that.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

The only people that give me flack (to my face) about my jewelry/ering is my MIL. She thinks it's crazy to spend any significant amount of money on jewelry, especially diamonds, and that DH and I should save our money for something else....anything else. My ering is a modest .84 solitaire but MIL thinks it's too big, too flashy and assumes it cost too much money. MIL's daughter, my SIL, however, has a 1.5 center in a blingy setting and MIL doesn't have anything bad to say about that I don't let it bother me though because it doesn't matter what she or anyone else thinks.

Otherwise, I feel like I get better service in restaurants and stores if I'm wearing my nice jewlery and am carrying my LV handbag, which really isn't that often when I think about it. I look young for my age (2 and am a jeans and t-shirt type of gal so that probably plays into it as well.

 

[Nashville]

I must be oblivious, because it has literally never crossed my mind that someone might be looking at me a certain way because of the jewelry I'm wearing.

 

[Autumnovember]

Hmmm..I can't say I've noticed anyone treating me differently but I do notice how different sales people treat me in stores when I have my ring on. They are much more eager to talk to me and be nice to me. Sad.

 

[reader]

I would have been tempted to ignore you when you pulled your cell phone out in a restaurant.

I find this pretty shocking behavior, and it makes me want to know where you live. You don't have to give specifics, but do you live in a small town, perhaps? I can't imagine people behaving this way in a metropolitan area, especially one with a diverse population. These servers would ignore all of my Greek friends, for example, because they all wear their rings on their right hands after marriage. And here in Chicago, at least, so many married people go without rings even after marriage.

Your experience in that salon reminds me of Pretty Woman. I can't believe people who earn a living based on sales would ignore any potential client, how stupid of them. Their loss![/quote]

I live in rural, not very diverse, Western Maryland, where the bridal shop was. The restaurant was in North Carolina. The cell phone came out after I had waited five minutes to be approached for a drink or given a menu by the server.

 

[zoebartlett]

Nah.... When people look at how I dress, they all probably think it's fake anyways...
NH residents are very low key on the rock sizes - ( Blu and I live in NH ) But I did get a very lovely
compliment from a waitress saying that my ring was gorgeous. That was nice She got an extra tip that time

Yeah, I've noticed that too (that people here are very low key with diamond sizes). I think residents here prefer to spend their money on pricey SUVs, vacations, and second homes. My engagement ring is probably small compared to others here on PS, but it's not noticeably different than rings I see here at home. I've gotten compliments on my ring but I wouldn't say I've been treated differently because of my jewelry.

 

[Amethyste]

Nah.... When people look at how I dress, they all probably think it's fake anyways...
NH residents are very low key on the rock sizes - ( Blu and I live in NH ) But I did get a very lovely
compliment from a waitress saying that my ring was gorgeous. That was nice She got an extra tip that time

Yeah, I've noticed that too (that people here are very low key with diamond sizes). I think residents here prefer to spend their money on pricey SUVs, vacations, and second homes. My engagement ring is probably small compared to others here on PS, but it's not noticeably different than rings I see here at home. I've gotten compliments on my ring but I wouldn't say I've been treated differently because of my jewelry.

Sorry for the threadjack -

Zoe - are you located in NH?

 

[princesss]

No, I don't think so.

I see the biggest change in the way others treat me when I'm wearing a big smile. I have never noticed a change in the way I'm treated just because I wear a big rock. When I'm kind and smiling at people, I get a lot of free food in restaurants, superior service, polite conversation, and just a pleasant time in general. On the rare occasion that I'm not wearing a genuine broad smile, I do see a difference.

I AGREE TOTALLY. I wanted to post this several times. I'm always treated well and respectfully because I go through life with a smile and a nod. When I was planning my Paris trip, people told me the french were cold, and rude. I found that to be totally untrue. People I met in Paris were always courteous, and even friendly. I don't think anyone noticed my wedding set (which pretty big by Euro standards), they were looking at my face. Even my SIL who lives in Paris told me that no one ever said Bonjour to her the whole 1.5 years she's lived there until I tagged along her to go shopping. I think she just gives this off this "Don't look at me" air. I just don't "get" the people who want to come across as bitchy.....and I know several people here who admitted to being like that.

Complete ditto (right down to the part about Paris - I had the same experience!). Though I do have a "Don't look at me" face in my arsenal for when I need it, but for the most part I always have a smile for people, and my world is a much happier place because of it.

 

[purplesilk]

I live in Italy and here you get attention wearing logo clothes and purses (D&G, Gucci, Prada, LV,...).90% of these items are fake.
Most of women here wear fake jewels, I see a lot of cz even on wealthy people.
You also get more attention if you wear a plain wedding band on your left finger: salesmen assume you're mature enough to be served.
Just a culture fact.
Purplesilk

 

[Amber St. Clare]

I was in the ladies room of a local restaurant and a young woman came up to me and said "Oh, you probably don't remember me, I was your server at another place, but you stick out in my mind because you have beautiful jewelry. She then grabbed my hands {good thing I had washed them } , lifted my hair from my face to see my earrings and stared at my necklace.

 

[zoebartlett]

Nah.... When people look at how I dress, they all probably think it's fake anyways...
NH residents are very low key on the rock sizes - ( Blu and I live in NH ) But I did get a very lovely
compliment from a waitress saying that my ring was gorgeous. That was nice She got an extra tip that time

Yeah, I've noticed that too (that people here are very low key with diamond sizes). I think residents here prefer to spend their money on pricey SUVs, vacations, and second homes. My engagement ring is probably small compared to others here on PS, but it's not noticeably different than rings I see here at home. I've gotten compliments on my ring but I wouldn't say I've been treated differently because of my jewelry.

Sorry for the threadjack -

Zoe - are you located in NH?

Yep!

 

[Amethyste]

Hmmmmm... When do we get to meet?

 

[Imdanny]

Differently, yes. Different-positive? ... not that I'm aware of.

My ring is pretty normal for NY or LA at a carat and a half, but in Sweden it's stupidly large. The first time I visited, everybody but everybody looked at it wide-eyed. I sort of figured that would go away ... nope! It's a significant cultural difference, the allocation of funds for bling.

I read about this at PS. What is they like to wear... 1/3? Something like that.

 

[zoebartlett]

Amethyste -- I'm up for it anytime. We're FB friends so feel free to get in touch with me there and we'll figure something out. I always love heading over to your neck of the woods.

 

[elle_chris]

No, I don't think so.

I see the biggest change in the way others treat me when I'm wearing a big smile. I have never noticed a change in the way I'm treated just because I wear a big rock. When I'm kind and smiling at people, I get a lot of free food in restaurants, superior service, polite conversation, and just a pleasant time in general. On the rare occasion that I'm not wearing a genuine broad smile, I do see a difference.

I AGREE TOTALLY. I wanted to post this several times. I'm always treated well and respectfully because I go through life with a smile and a nod. When I was planning my Paris trip, people told me the french were cold, and rude. I found that to be totally untrue. People I met in Paris were always courteous, and even friendly. I don't think anyone noticed my wedding set (which pretty big by Euro standards), they were looking at my face. Even my SIL who lives in Paris told me that no one ever said Bonjour to her the whole 1.5 years she's lived there until I tagged along her to go shopping. I think she just gives this off this "Don't look at me" air. I just don't "get" the people who want to come across as bitchy.....and I know several people here who admitted to being like that.

Complete ditto (right down to the part about Paris - I had the same experience!). Though I do have a "Don't look at me" face in my arsenal for when I need it, but for the most part I always have a smile for people, and my world is a much happier place because of it.

Same. Been to Paris twice and never had a bad experience. I was being friendly and so were the people.

In NYC, I never noticed being treated differently regardless of whether I'm wearing my jewelry or not. In the last year, I've hardly worn my e-ring and still received the same service. Granted, it's not great all the time, but i think it would of sucked even if i were blinged out.