Why Women Proposing Is Still Rare

NY Times ^ | February 25, 2016 | Alix Strauss

[C19fan]

When uttered by a man, the words “will you marry me” serve to signal a tradition that is both widely accepted and ages old. Having the same spoken by a woman however — except in a leap year like 2016, when an old Irish tradition of having the woman ask is known to emerge — are still surprisingly rare.

Legend has it that “The Ladies’ Privilege,” as it was known then, originated in the fifth century, with an Irish nun later known as St. Brigid. Through her intervention it was decided that on Feb. 29, women would be given the opportunity to pop the question as a way to balance traditional gender roles in a manner not unlike how leap year serves to balance the calendar.

[Politicalkiddo]

Heck, I can’t even ask a guy out. It’s not who I am.

[Texan5]

I also want to be the one whose company is desired and asked for-I won’t even ask a guy to go out with me-I work with guys as an equal, my best friends are guys-but physical attraction is totally different, and I won’t be the one to express interest first-might be why I’m still a single widow...

[PapaBear3625]

My wife proposed to me.

Does “either we get married or I’m walking away” count as a proposal?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

My ex gave me the nasty look and growled “What about us?”
I shoulda known better!

[Skooz]

Pretty much, yeah.

[colorado tanker]

You're forgetting that other exception . . .

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, I added that to the keywords! :’D

[Bigg Red]

Wow! She burned you real good, huh?

[Bigg Red]

And, of course, there aren’t any men who throw over the wife, the mother of his children, for a younger model, right?

[Bigg Red]

And, of course, there aren’t any men who throw over the wife, the mother of his children, for a younger model, right?

[PIF]

Not me -— see #18 and replies.

[mowowie]

I would go out with you if you asked....in fact i would be thrilled.
A lot of shy, unreasonably insecure guys out there you know....

[mowowie]

:)

I am happy for the both of you.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

She made lepers out of water?

[Dr. Sivana]

Good job, ya got me. Problem with tapping on an iPod Touch between downloads at work.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

After the third time reading it I finally realized what you meant. But the mental image was too good not to share.

[Politicalkiddo]

The reason I can’t is because A) I’m not bold when it comes to relationships B) I’ve never been in one. I’ve never even been asked out. I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m still pretty young though, so who knows.