Promises, promises

I have never been a fan of promise rings. Sure the thought of a three-stone, white gold band around your ring finger representing the past, present, and future sounds nice (or cheesy), but what does it really mean? "Hey babe, I'm not ready to ask for your hand in marriage, but I want other guys to know that you're not on the market (even though I, being the MAN, do not need to wear one)."
To me, a promise ring is essentially a "pre-engagement" ring, and an engagement ring is a "pre-marriage" ring. It's basically just pussyfooting around and tying the female down. Where is the counterpart to a promise ring for men? Until it becomes equally acceptable for men to wear a promise ring (with diamonds in it) my fingers will be forever separated from such sexist rings.

But don't get me wrong, I like rings and I like diamonds (especially BLOOD DIAMONDS). If my boyfriend decides to buy me a diamond ring, I'd wear it. But I will undoubtedly deny a promise ring because of the inherent chauvinism attached to the whole tradition.

It's not just the feminist in me that disapproves of promise rings, it's the fact that wearing one would be a reminder during every fight that I "promised" to marry this asshole by accepting his "pre-engagement" ring... and isn't that what a wedding ring is for?

Until I am overly ready to symbolize my love with a fat ass rock and a legal contract, I'm going to enjoy the freedom of bare fingers and independence.