I just don't feel like announcing our plans and having people ask to see a ring and having to say we skipped that... I don't know if I can manage that without giving away that it makes me sad.

I'm from Central Europe, and traditionally, engagement things aren't a thing in my country (neither are proposals or a huge fuzz about "being engaged"). They have gotten more popular over time, but they still aren't the norm.

My partner is from the UK....where the hype is huge. Him being from a Chinese/Vietnamese family which puts a LOT of emphasis on quality and price tags.....it was important for him to buy me a decent engagement ring.

I agreed to start ring shopping together because it was important to my partner. I would have happily split the cost if needed. I ended up with a beautiful ring, way over what I would have ever wanted to spend on an engagement ring, but it has become a symbol of our commitment and much more. We're now still looking into wedding rings that will match ;)