Sometimes, it's tough. For reasons I won't get into here, I don't want to get my future-fiance a diamond. It can be any other gemstone, just not a diamond. She can get herself a diamond, it just won't come from me.

Telling my female friends--even the level-headed, rational, down-to-earth ones--resulted in opposition. At best, they would just say good luck finding a girl like that. At worst, they'd keep arguing about why I should get her a diamond.

If you're going to be who you are, there will be things that you believe in that are going to be different from others. If you have things that are different, some people will fight you on it. Pick your battles carefully.