The Wedding Ring

Whilst out on Saturday night, Tracey met a man. Nothing unusual about that. He was tall, good-looking and had piercing blue eyes. Now that is unusual! They chatted for a while and she decided that she'd like to spend some more time with him. It was only then that she noticed the wedding ring.

Not too much of a big deal. You can still talk to a man who's married. But he wanted to do more than talk. When questioned about the wedding ring, he seemed unperturbed and talked readily about his wife and three kids. He seemed proud that he hadn't taken the ring off and was,therefore, being honest! Hmmm.

We asked Steve, a married man, for his take on the wedding ring situation. He said that if you chat up a girl with your wedding ring on, then it is the accepted view that she has seen it, knows that you are married and wishes to participate in whatever follows willingly and without recrimination. I guess the idea is that you are only then cheating on one woman, rather than two!

Matt says he doesn't wear his wedding ring at all. He used to but after he and his wife split up and got back together again, he has chosen not to. It is not a sign of diminished committement, he says but that he just doesn't like being labelled. But what is wrong with being labelled as a married man or woman if that is what you are? Should you not be proud to shout to the world that you are married or is it better to be quietly satisfied? Is not wanting to be labelled just an excuse for wanting to be able to pretend not to be married when the mood strikes?

I suppose we have to ask what the wedding ring is for. It is supposed to be a symbol of the never-ending love between two people, an outward sign of the promise you have made. And so,I suppose, a red flag to those who have yet to find their life partner.'Taken, Keep off, Unavailable!' And if you dare to enter upon this territory, you do so at your own risk!