A woman’s holiday plans have hit a bump after her boyfriend made a request that’s left her feeling uncomfortable, and people shared they think it shows he doesn’t trust her
A woman has asked for advice after her boyfriend asked her to do something on a family holiday that makes her feel uncomfortable. Disagreements in relationships are normal and, in healthy relationships, are usually eventually resolved. However, bigger problems can cause awkwardness and resentment.
This is often made worse when other people, like family members, get involved. The 24-year-old woman from the US turned to Reddit to share that she is planning on moving to Australia but before she relocates, her family agreed to go on a month-long holiday to the area she wants to relocate to so she can get a taste of life Down Under. Her boyfriend supports her moving to the country but has asked her to wear a fake engagement ring while on the holiday as he “doesn’t want the locals to think they have a chance.”
She doesn’t feel comfortable doing this because her boyfriend hasn’t proposed to her yet.
The woman, who loves reptiles, has wanted to go to Australia ever since she a documentary about dangerous Australian creatures when she was 12. She told her boyfriend – who she gave the pseudonym Dan – that the locals won’t think they “have a chance” anyway, but he was insistent.
She wrote: “Tonight we were watching the MLB Wildcard series (go Red Sox) and I brought up how excited I am for my trip and Dan said ‘wait I have something for your trip’ and runs to our room and brings out a HUGE ring (bigger than what I want in the future).
“I told him I do not want to wear the ring because we are not engaged and we got into an argument. This turned into him sleeping on the couch and his mother texting me telling me ‘it’s not a big deal if it makes him more comfortable.’
“I love Dan, more than anything, and I do want to marry him, but I feel like putting on a ring before actually having a ring is gross?”
The couple have spoken about getting married and having children in the past, but decided it was too early at present.
The woman worries she is in the wrong for not wanting to wear a ‘fake’ engagement ring as her boyfriend’s family are telling her “it’s not a big deal.”
She is unsure of whether or not she should put on the ‘fake’ ring and try to explain the situation to her family, or to continue to refuse to wear it.
Ending her post, the reptile lover added: “Side note: I haven’t told my family or friends about this because they love Dan, to the point my father calls him son and my mom texts him a good amount.
“I don’t want to ruin their relationship, but I’m not sure how to navigate this. I also don’t want to rush him into an engagement over this, he deserves to take his time but this whole situation seems weird.”
Several users who commented on the post felt that the woman’s boyfriend wants her to put on a ring while she is on holiday in Australia because he doesn’t trust her.
One commenter said: “An engagement ring symbolizes that you’re engaged. The fake engagement ring symbolizes that he doesn’t trust you.”
Another added: “If he wants to put a ring on it, he should properly put a ring on it. Being engaged doesn’t cost money.
“That ring he just bought would have been fine until he could afford a nicer ring, if it truly meant you were promised to be married.
“As it is, he’s just showing you he doesn’t trust you, and puts his trust in other men seeing a ring and hopefully being put off trying anything with you instead.”