| Okay, you’re going to pop the question, and | | | | their favourite spot in the world and then pop the |
| you think a quick trip to the Red Lion at the end | | | | question. |
| of the street, with your mates watching, is not | | | | How about during a flight, snuggled up on the |
| the best idea. | | | | back row of a Jumbo, watching the movie, lights |
| So what should you do? Here are ten ideas for | | | | down and the food run finished; use this special |
| the way that you can ask that all important | | | | moment to ask the key question. It would |
| question, will you marry me. | | | | certainly bring a new meaning to the mile high club. |
| Now, if you’re not a romantic, you’re | | | | And for a subtle variation, buy a hot-air balloon |
| going to struggle with this whole concept. You | | | | flight for you and your partner. And while |
| might ask, what’s wrong with asking while | | | | you’re in the clouds, ooh and aahing at the |
| watching an episode of East Enders, or waiting for | | | | quarter mile drop to oblivion, ask them if they |
| the traffic lights whilst in the car going to work? | | | | want to spend the rest of their lives with you. |
| Because, quite simply, you have to try harder | | | | Just one general point though, don’t use the |
| than that. Hopefully, in your time on this mortal | | | | venue, or the activity, to scare them into |
| coil, you’re not going to be asking the | | | | submission. The tactic of marry me or we’ll |
| question too many times, and this will be one of | | | | plummet to our deaths might get an initial positive |
| the key milestones in your life. So, on this | | | | answer, but they’ll change their minds once |
| occasion, a little effort is needed. | | | | safety has been reached. |
| Okay, lets start with one of the most popular | | | | But how about this one. Hire some street artists |
| ways to pop the question. Basically, it’s all a | | | | and put on a little performance for your intended. |
| variation of the central theme of either asking the | | | | Say a five minute show which culminates in you |
| question, getting someone else to, or signalling the | | | | asking the question. |
| question with some neat device. | | | | Again, a note of caution here. Don’t plan |
| First up is the expensive restaurant, | | | | anything that will cause your partner major |
| tête-à-tête. Okay, it doesn’t have to be | | | | embarrassment. A clever joke is one thing, ridicule |
| expensive, it could just be ‘significant’ (as | | | | is likely to put off marriage for a good many |
| it was the first restaurant you ever went to on | | | | years. |
| your first date) and you can do a lot to make it | | | | Perhaps you could plan a party, getting all your |
| that bit more special. Consider having a violinist in | | | | friends and family around. And as with the idea |
| the background; although keep a sense of | | | | above, hire a magician to pull a dove with a |
| decorum here, as some old chap screeching away | | | | marriage proposal out of a hat. |
| through a grade one self-taught violin lesson is not | | | | If your intended reads the local newspaper, or |
| going to endear you to your future partner, or | | | | has a favourite magazine, then you might |
| the other diners. And maybe get the waiter to | | | | consider buying an advertisement which shouts |
| deliver the ring and a proclamation of your love | | | | your question from the pages. |
| on a card. That seem a bit cheesy, but if | | | | And how about a treasure hunt, much like the |
| you’re worried you’re going to fluff your | | | | annual Easter Egg hunt. You can hide clues all over |
| lines at that special moment, having your partner | | | | the place, until the final message is encountered |
| read the proposal, might help. | | | | as the excitement builds up. |
| So, that’s the basic theory behind a good | | | | And finally, of course, is the sudden down on one |
| proposal. A great venue, a nice mood and the | | | | leg and pop the question. On one hand this had its |
| romantic delivery of the key question. | | | | advantages; if your intended bursts out laughing, |
| Once that’s appreciated, you can build various | | | | then it can all be carried off as a big joke and no |
| nuances. | | | | harm done. The disadvantage is that the down on |
| How about ‘dressing’ the route, say | | | | one knee manoeurve can be fraught with physical |
| when you’re bringing your loved one back | | | | dangers. It has been known for suitors to slip |
| from somewhere. You might start with a couple | | | | over, or pull their backs, so just be careful when |
| of notices along the road that x loves x, until you | | | | you do the flashing Knight bit. |
| arrive at your place with a big sign asking the | | | | So there you are. Ten ways to dress up asking |
| question. You can then reveal your t-shirt which | | | | that question which you hope will be met with a |
| says the same thing. | | | | resounding yes. Good luck. |
| A big one is the holiday. Take your intended to | | | | |