geek in heels

I think boys can sometimes be silly with their gifts.

Maybe it’s the whole “being a man” mentality. Girls can proudly show off their Mahnolos and Choos when they go out, but not many men would even notice if their buddy sports the latest Prada loafers one night. So they transfer the goods over to the girls.

1. Man buys expensive item for his girl
2. Girl wears it out in public
3. All the women go gaga over it
4. Other men overhear the chatter or hear it directly from their girls (”Julie’s boyfriend just bought her a Cartier Roadster…I guess my Fossil watch is okay too.”)

By choosing to spend their hard-earned money on gifts for their women, men essentially achieve the same goal (”I’m successful…wanna see?”) with an added perk (”Oh honey thank you so much for the Gucci bag…let’s go have lots and lots of sex right now!”), and respect from the ladies (”Julie’s man knows how to treat a girl.”). Sure, he might get some chiding from the guys, but I think that’s a small price that most men are willing to pay.

This is ever so prevalent in a city like New York, where Wall Street-ers complain about $400k bonuses (true story with real people), beautiful women are high and nigh, and luxury goods flood the streets of Fifth Ave.

J and I make decent salaries, but we’re practically paupers compared to these Manhattanites.

And although he would never admit it, I know that J feels bad that we can’t afford these luxuries, especially when so many of our friends live the high life.

My ex-boyfriend before J was well-off financially. His family lived in the wealthiest section of Seoul, and he lived a type of life that I can only dream about.

Obviously he always paid when we went out, and for my birthday that year he took me to the Tiffany’s at Tyson’s Corner (a wealthy shopping area in Virginia) and bought me a beautiful necklace. He then escorted me next door to the Louis Vuitton store and declared, “Pick out anything you want!”

Since J and I were friends when I was with this ex, J still chides me about him and his extravagant gifts. “You only like pretty aka expensive things because you were spoiled,” he teases.

At the same time, I can still see a bit of resentment and guilt behind his eyes.

I won’t lie - I like brand name items and I have a particular weakness for designer bags.

However, I think that the gift J sent me last week far trumped all the expensive gifts I’ve ever received from my ex.

It was a Star Wars e-card.

(click on image to see animation)

How perfect for me.

Thank you.