Hey Sculpt, thanks for the nod to practicality.
I can't take any credit for it, I just grew up in a family that promoted fairness whenever possible. If one of us needed or ask for something, my parents/grandparents would split what they had amongst us or, if someone was in immediate need and they could help, they would then save up to do something of similar value for the others later on.
So to me it just makes sense that if some guy were to spend huge honking amounts on a ring and fancy dinner, I'd need to do something of fairly equal value in return. I'm not into sports, but I always figured if he was, I could do something like get him tickets to a game he'd like to and be able to take his best friend (I would go if he insisted, but sports really aren't my thing.) Just like the ring would depend upon the woman, whatever gift I would get for the man would depend upon his personal tastes, etc.
That's a really good idea about getting a "temp" ring if the couple wanted to save up for something different later on. I can't speak for all women but I would most certainly think the woman would become attached to that ring as well, because it was something special that he took the time and money to get for her. I know all my female friends would definitely value something like that very highly.
Some would even choose just to keep that ring and not want another, and even if they did get another ring, they would still save that first one as something treasured and precious forever.
, Right? 
...lol I had to be honest x
