Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    How about a nice watchband, with an engraved inscription on the
    inside?  (I realize that many people wear cheap (but effective!)
    watches, so this might not be feasible.)
    
    An engraved bookmark?  (Anyone of any worth reads, she haughtily
    insisted.  But a leather cover for "TV Guide" might be a suitable
    substitute, she conceded gracelessly.)
    
    						Ann B.

    
    Or a keyring, like one of those nice gold & scrimshaw ones?
    
    D.
    

    What about a gold and diamond cigarette lighter (if he smokes)!!  Or, a
    nice gold pen set!!!

    Does he have penny loafers?  What about subscribing two pennies with
    their names and the date to put in his penny loafers?
    
    Nanci

    I got a jeweler who makes absolut look-alike half-burnt wooden matches
    out of silver, one can wear them as a broche, for instance.
    
    And you can put around it any words you like.....
    
    Regards,
    Heinrich

    re .5
    
    Are you referring to *in*scribing something on the pennies?  Wonderful
    idea!
    
    ...and then you can *sub*scribe to a favorite magazine or concert
    series!
    
    
    Judi
    

    Once upon a time, this lovestruck fool gave her chosen a Mont-Blanc
    fountain pen.  After knowing him for three weeks.
    
    Love makes you stupid, but it was probably one of the nicest stupid
    things I've ever done.... 
    
    ;)
    
    -Jody
    

    My husband wears no jewelry.  I gave him a diamond earring.  He had his
    ear pierced to wear it.  He always wears it - except on special 
    occasions like halloween etc when he wears something appropriate like
    a shrunken head - a parrot etc.
    
    

    
    	When my husband and I were engaged, he gave me what I wanted 
    (a diamond), and I gave him what he wanted (a very nice stereo system).
    
    Elaine
    

    I gave my husband his college ring as an engagement gift (he had been
    going to school nights for years and was finally nearing the end).
    
    I also gave him a claddagh tie pin as a gift once.  That might be an
    appropriate gift since the claddagh stands for love (the heart), 
    friendship (the hands) and loyalty (the crown).
    
    -Tracy
    

    re: .5
    
    Yes, *in*scribing the pennies.  :-)
    
    Nanci

There are many wonderful small pen knives that are 
just stunning .... and they are often quite handy. I gave my
husband a sterling silver penknife, with an early-between-us
nickname inscribed on it ... the gold ones were way over
my allowance back then. Probably still are.

And a few years later, I stumbled across an antique pen knive
with delicate vines and flowers in relief. It was a very
successful birthday present for him.

    Isn't the "man" who is supposed to propose to a woman? Do women propose
    to men?  and if so... what is supposed a woman to do IF REJECTED? How
    does she keeps her dignity, if rejected?
    You might think that I am stupid, but, I've never heard of this before
    (mainly because I married many years ago and lost contact with the
    evolution of courting...) and I am curious!
    In my country we give a present to the groom-to-be by the bride-to-be,
    at the time of the formal engagement.  For "him" is usually an
    expensive watch, or gold cuff-links, and for her is always an expensive gold
    bracelet (engagement rings were not popular till just recently).  The
    bride's parents do help in the cost of the watch and "he" and his
    family has to provide the engagement bracelet... not minding getting
    into debt to provide a present worth of her.
    

    RE: last two
    
    I think it's important to remember that different countries have 
    different traditions and values.  .14 *did* say "in my country..."
                                                        ^^
    
    E Grace

    re .15, I also think it's important to remember that men have had many
    more years to adapt to rejection.  It has long been accepted in our
    society that some men will propose to women who will reject them, and
    no one thinks any less of them for it.  It is only very recently that
    it has become acceptable for women to propose to men (if it even really
    is in real-life middle America).
    
    When I was in my late teens and early 20's, in the late 1960's, early
    1970's, anytime a woman even asked out a guy who rejected her, I always
    heard people saying things like, "I can't believe she threw herself at
    him like that anyway!  She should have know better." etc, etc., behind
    her back.
    
    Lorna
    

    
    re .17:
    
    you mean America doesn't have the tradition of women proposing to men
    on Valentine's Day?
    
    The greetings card manufacturers sure missed up on that one didn't
    they?
    
    :-)
    
    On a more serious tack, it was the norm in Victorian and Edwardian
    times (at least here in Britain) for women to turn down the first three
    proposals *automatically* - the "tradition" was that the man made a
    more extravagant proposal (and gift) each time - only if he was serious
    enough to persevere through the wall of rejection would the woman even
    consider accepting.
    
    /. Ian .\          

    
    Re -1
    
    I also heard that the tradition of the wmn proposing to the man on
    February 29th has a couple of not-so-well-publicised bits....
    
    The wmn should be wearing a red flannel petticoat when she proposes.
    
    And if he turns her down, he should give her a pair of kid gloves.
    
    ;-)
    'gail

    re:.19
    
    Not on Valentine's Day, but I do recall that Leap Year Day was a
    time when women "were allowed" to do the proposing.
    
    And, of course, there's Sadie Hawkins Day. :-)
    
    --- jerry

    I am interested that all through this note there is no suggestion
    that women don't like wearing rings. Personally I never wear rings
    because I think they are unsafe - am afraid of catching my finger
    and tearing it off!  What do women accept instead of an engagement
    ring?  If ever I thought of getting engaged (!) I might like some
    suggestions!
    
    diana

    How about a small pendant on a leather thong, a small diamond or other
    gemstone stud in an ear, or a new tatoo?  (For the last two I would
    recommend serious commitment)
    
    Meg

    Cynthia and  I didn't like the idea of an engagement ring unless I
    wore  one  too,  and  since  neither  of us like rings (we do wear
    wedding rings) I bought her a silver and turquoise (modern Navajo)
    barrete.  

    I've been  trying to give her hints that a belt buckle would be an
    appropriate  response,  but  she  hasn't  taken the hint yet. Belt
    buckles are often the only jewelry that a man wears, and I've seen
    many  beautiful  ones.  A  friend  of  mine  recieved  one  as his
    engagement present.

--David