Post # 1
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Where is it considered safe to wear your wedding bands outside the US? I’m assuming that I can wear my diamond engagement ring and diamond wedding bands to the UK when I travel for work in July. It’ll be insured….but I’m in Europe, women wear diamonds there, right?
In November I’m traveling to India for work. Can I wear ONE diamond wedding band instead of the whole ensemble, or should I seriously consider a plain or very simple, inexpensive, understated band? Or is it not a big deal b/c women have engagement rings there??
I don’t mind leaving mine at home if I need to. But if there is no real reason to, then I want to wear mine. I’m staying in nice, business areas. Flying business class, etc, and traveling with my Indian coworkers.
As a 6 foot tall white girl, I’m going to stand out. I don’t want to be a stupid tourist, either.
Thanks!!!
Post # 3
Member
1428 posts
Bumble bee
I can vouch for Europe yes! I wear diamonds out all the time when I’m there, and so do my family members. One thing I would advise is if you are on a train anywhere hold on to your bags, my aunt had her purse stolen on the train in Amsterdam a couple of years ago.
But as far as rings, I wouldn’t worry.
I don’t know about India though, I’ve never been. 🙁
Post # 4
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Thanks for the tip! I figured Europe was safe. I have a paranoid friend who won’t go anywhere without her ring, so she got me all freaked out. She thinks i’m crazy for traveling with mine and it’s worth a lot more, so she thinks i’m insane. I was advised to always dress extra nice/business clothes (so they don’t know right away i’m american) and keep a small purse (not my big monstrous coach bag) since i’ll have my luggage with me too. and pack light!!!
Hmmmm. India anyone? LoL. I’m trolling Ebay for a fake set. I just don’t know what’s acceptible
Post # 5
Member
68 posts
Worker bee
I would not worry about wearing your ring in India. Women there are pretty into jewelry. Engagement rings are not traditional but are becoming a bit more common these days. I was in India in March and I did not see many people on the street wearing them, but they were in jewelry stores. Of course, the usual rules about traveling safely still apply…and you can flip the diamond to your palm side if you do feel uncomfortable on the street. I think you’ll be okay though. Have a great trip!
Post # 6
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Oh okay, thanks! I was worried about wearing such a hefty set of rings on my left hand. I might still switch to just a diamond band, but I didn’t if it would behoove me more to wear a plain gold band.
I don’t like the idea of leaving my real rings at home much, either. It’s not like i’ll be in any bad areas….we’re talking nice hotels, the nice university, meeting the professors, meeting with people at TATA, that large engineering consulting firm, etc. I don’t plan on venturing too far away from the hotel.
Post # 7
Member
329 posts
Helper bee
Yes people LOVE their jewelry in India. Men and women both wear lots of rings, etc.
However, I’m always cautious about my diamond ring when I travel to countries where there is so much poverty–I just don’t want to attract unwanted attention. When I went to India last year for work I left my ring at home. But others wore theirs and didn’t have any actual problems.
Post # 8
Member
1428 posts
Bumble bee
Have fun ejs! I’m jealous! It sounds so awesome! I hope you totally enjoy it.
By The Way – you’re getting married on my Da’s b-day….I’ll be sure to toast you & your man!
Post # 9
Member
2207 posts
Buzzing bee
You already got good advice on Europe.
With India, it is a wild country, but it is pretty darn safe. I backpacked through there for a month, and never once felt unsafe. Freaked out by all of the sound, smell, color, people – yeah! But never unsafe. It is a very conservative country, so you are unlikely to have people touch you or get very close if they don’t have to. If you are doing business and staying in Westernized areas, no problem at all.
On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with leaving the major bling at home, generally. Even with all of my advice, I’m leaving the engagement ring at home when I go to China, Vietnam, and Japan this summer. All three are safe countries, but I am worried about me leaving it in a hotel or something! I do always wear this cheap band I have and tell any men who talk to me that I am married.
Post # 10
Member
1276 posts
Bumble bee
People wear tons and tons of jewelry in India (or at least the wealthier classes). If you’re going for work and not travelling in dicier areas you are absolutely fine…and engagement rings are increasingly common. Most people there will be way more blinged out (I swear it’s obscene). It’s not uncommon to see women with more than one diamond ring on their hands…along with a set of diamond solitaires and gold bangles.
Post # 11
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Whew! Then I totally won’t worry about it. I’m not going anywhere NEAR a poverish zone. When my company flies women, it’s the whole nine yards. We have to take limos, not regular taxis, and we get escorted everywhere. They’re ridiculous about it! For good reason.
On a side note, a friend of mine is Indian and I can’t wait for her wedding! She says her family will be crazy decked out. It’s *gaudy* by american standards (who prefer simpler things, nothing against the culture, i personally love all things cultural), but it looks so pretty on them! I wish I could pull off ridiculous amounts of jewelry, LoL, it’d be way too much fun!!!
Thanks, happilywaiting, that’s so sweet of you! 6 weeks to go tomorrow!!! Yikes
