Questions About the Ring?

Etiquette expert Peggy Post gives advice on handling your trickiest wedding dilemmas.

Q. To my surprise and delight, my fiancé gave me a large diamond engagement ring. I absolutely love it, but it has led to awkward moments. Some people want to know the size and quality of the diamond. Others ask, "Is it real?" or "How much did your fiancé pay for it?" How do I handle all of this tactfully?

A. I applaud your desire to reply to these inappropriate queries graciously. While you can't say, "None of your business," you can answer, "It's not the size or the quality that matters to me. I just love it!" You could say politely, "I'd rather not talk about that," or "Why do you ask?" You could also simply change the subject or use humor. When people ask, "Is it real?" you might say, "It had better be or I'll have some questions for the jeweler!" If someone asks how much the ring cost, say, "Dan probably spent more than he should have, but I'll cherish it forever."

More Etiquette Q&A

Have an etiquette question you'd like answered? Email us at weddings@instylemag.com.