OP here - these responses are interesting!

I'll admit that from engagement to a couple years into kid #1, I wore it most of the time. But once kid #2 came along, forget it.

I used to look...and most of my friends/coworkers and my family members sport the matching engagement ring/band. And I'll admit I had a fear of being judged, too. But now that I'm older and have 2 kids under my belt...I'm kind of ambivalent about the whole thing.

As for wondering if someone is single, well since 50% of people with kids aren't married, that's a question you have to ask no matter what.

PP here.

Just wanted to mention. I don't flirt. Ever. I don't even look men I don't know in the eyes (say, if they make conversation at the grocery store). I am pretty cool toward them b/c I understand that not having a ring on can be confusing.

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't you wear a ring? Extreme sensitivity to metals?

I don't wear my wedding/engagement ring b/c - quite frankly - they both got stolen in a very horrible home burglary.

I have another ring that I sometimes wear, but then what is the point? It isn't my wedding ring and so it doesn't have that sentimental value. The only point for me would be for OTHER people to know I'm married. But I know I'm in a strong, healthy marriage. My DH doesn't care if I wear a ring or not either.

I find the concept that you HAVE to wear a ring once married to be odd.

I don't judge, but as a divorced mom I'd prefer that men wear their rings so I know who's single and flirting with me vs. married and just being chatty.

At the very least, if you don't wear a ring, I think the burden is on you to be clear that you're married/not flirting. It's kindof unfair to me to have to bring up the "so, are you single" question.

I'm a single mom who occasionally wears a ring on my left ring finger when I'm going somewhere especially conservative and don't feel like attracting negative attention. I don't really care what people think but sometimes it's just easier to play along. Best example: when we had my child baptized in my pretty traditional Episcopalian church.

If I were married, I'd probably take my ring off to shower and forget to put it back on half the time. I'm not used to wearing jewelry.

Anonymous wrote:i don't notice if people are wearing rings. however, i will notice if you are wearing capris or mom/dad jeans.

Ha! Love it...because I don't wear my ring, nor do I own capris or mom jeans.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't notice other people's rings, but I HAVE to wear mine otherwise men literally throw themselves at me.

I think you nailed it. Is there any other reason to wear a wedding band?

I can think of four reasons to wear it:
1 - To advertize that you are not available.
2 - To show that you manged to "get married" - a significant accomplishment in the eyes of some.
3 - You are afraid of being judged if you take it off.
4 - Everyone else is doing it.

Are there better reasons I missed?

This is a good list, except you forgot,"to show off the size of your diamond".

What about "you just happen to like jewelry, esp. rings?"

Yes. Mine isn't over the top. But seriously if you spend a lot of money on the ring but never wear it... what is the point? I wear mine most days but never to shower, wash dishes, sleep or workout.

I always wear both my engagement and wedding rings. Why it that over the top? It's not like I've got a huge 4ct diamond or something.

Anonymous wrote:ring wearers - do you wear your engagement ring too? that always strikes me as a little over the top.

I do because it has a lot of sentimental value. Plus, DH designed it and is really proud of it. FWIW it's not a blingy ring at all - very modest.

ring wearers - do you wear your engagement ring too? that always strikes me as a little over the top.

Anonymous wrote:Of course I wouldn't judge someone for not wearing a ring. There are a million reasons why people wouldn't wear their rings. Some don't even have wedding rings. No big deal.

This.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't notice other people's rings, but I HAVE to wear mine otherwise men literally throw themselves at me.

I think you nailed it. Is there any other reason to wear a wedding band?

I can think of four reasons to wear it:
1 - To advertize that you are not available.
2 - To show that you manged to "get married" - a significant accomplishment in the eyes of some.
3 - You are afraid of being judged if you take it off.
4 - Everyone else is doing it.

Are there better reasons I missed?

This is a good list, except you forgot,"to show off the size of your diamond".

I probably would never even notice.

My husband lost his ring while doing yardwork and we never replaced it. He can't wear it during the work day, anyway - not on the equipment he has to use.

We might replace it, we might not. I wear my ring 95% of the time. It's pretty obvious we are together.