DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend of mine has been engaged for months. Then she and her fiance had a misunderstanding and he asked for the ring back. She returned it.
He has since found the error of his ways and gave her the ring again.
I say she needs a new ring, or at least an altered one -- have that one remounted or somehow changed. After all, he wouldn't use a ring he had first given to someone else. I say when he asked for it back, it terminated the contract of marriage, and therefore this is a new engagement and needs a new ring. Who is right?
GENTLE READER: Are you planning to be part of this marriage? Or are you only the couple’s jeweler?
Perhaps the couple sees that ring as symbolizing the welcome return of the harmony of their early engagement. Or as a rock that remains solid despite any troubles.
In any case, Miss Manners does not consider pressing your unpleasant theory of The Tainted Ring to be an act of friendship.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)