My girlfriend and I have been together for threeyears. When we first started dating, "Mary"unexpectedly became pregnant and we now have abeautiful child who is our life's joy. I would like to askMary to become my wife. Here's the problem: Moneyis pretty tight with a toddler, so buying an expensiveengagement ring will be difficult. Is cubic zirconiumworth looking into? I thought I'd get a nice-lookingCZ ring and, when things settle down, maybereplace it with a real diamond.
我和女友在一起已經(jīng)3年了,當(dāng)我面剛開(kāi)始約會(huì)時(shí),"Mary"意外地懷孕了,我們現(xiàn)在有了一個(gè)漂亮的小孩,孩子給我們生活帶來(lái)了很多樂(lè)趣。我想向Mary求婚。問(wèn)題在于:要養(yǎng)一個(gè)小孩錢(qián)很拮據(jù),所以買(mǎi)一個(gè)昂貴的訂婚戒指是很難的。能考慮買(mǎi)鋁合金戒指嗎?我愿想買(mǎi)一個(gè)漂亮的鋁合金戒指,當(dāng)事情定下來(lái)后,用真的磚石戒指來(lái)替換。
My initial thought is to be upfront with Mary and tell her. Do you think that's a good idea? Wehave a joint checking account, so she'll know all about my purchases. Is there a good way tomask how much the ring costs? - Perplexed in the Midwest
我最開(kāi)始想和Mary直說(shuō)。你認(rèn)為這樣做好嗎?我們的賬戶是2人共有的,她會(huì)知道我買(mǎi)什么東西了,有好辦法來(lái)掩飾戒指的花銷(xiāo)嗎?
Dear Perplexed:
Don't lie to Mary about the value of the ring. Women can be very understanding about notgetting a diamond, but they don't like being fooled. And if you are serious about replacing thering later, it doesn't matter what the original is made from. As for hiding the cost, you can putaside small amounts of cash until you have enough to purchase the ring and Mary will neverknow what you paid for it. P.S.: Best wishes on your upcoming engagement.
戒指的價(jià)值不要和Mary撒謊。女人們對(duì)不買(mǎi)磚石戒指是可以理解的,但是她們不喜歡被欺騙。如果你真的想事后換下了,那最先的戒指是什么材料都不重要。至于隱藏花銷(xiāo),你可以先卻出小筆錢(qián)知道你有足夠的錢(qián)來(lái)購(gòu)買(mǎi)戒指,Mary從不會(huì)知道你用這些錢(qián)買(mǎi)什么了。祝福你們婚禮。
【生詞注釋】
unexpectedly (adv.) 意外地;突然地
toddler (n.) 幼兒;剛學(xué)步的小孩
engagement (n.) 訂婚;約會(huì)
look into 研究;考慮
to settle down 穩(wěn)定;安身
to be upfront 直接;坦白
purchase (n.) 購(gòu)買(mǎi);採(cǎi)購(gòu)
perplexed (adj.) 令人困惑的;麻煩的
to be fooled 被欺騙;遭愚弄
upcoming (adj.) 接近的;即將來(lái)臨的