Yeah, I would call that effective marketing. Incredibly effective, no doubt. Of course, if I'm making the definitions, I can make them say whatever I want. :)

But your point certainly holds: while there is a category of marketing that utilizes a great product and honest communication, it is not the only way to successfully market. In fact, it may not even be the most effective way to market (though I would argue it is the most effective way with a technical audience).

Why would you buy a diamond ring even knowing that? Personally I opted for a silver ring with an inlaid golden pattern, it was beautiful and unique and was very well received by my wife. My sister also received an non-traditional ring and loves it. Sure it can be a conversation starter but often that's a plus not a minus. All in all I find something beautiful and unique is a wonderful token of your love, if it comes from the heart I can't see any girl you'd want to marry rejecting it.

Exactly. Personally, I had to let my wife buy her own ring because I was skint. If it's the right person the ring thing is kind of just a tradition that can be observed as you wish.

In contrast, a friend of mine was ordered by his fiance that she would only accept a ring costing thousands of pounds. It didn't work out. Lucky escape in my opinion (especially as she stopped him drinking beer too).

Heh, certainly sounds like it. Ideally imho a wife should be a partner in all the trials and tribulations as well as happiness that life brings. Once she starts giving orders it seems more like she wants to be a boss, that was usually the point in the relationship I would try to gracefully bow out...