Leap Year traditions

[Bambi]

On the British isles, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. While it has been claimed that the tradition was initiated by Saint Patrick or Brigid of Kildare in 5th century Ireland, this is dubious, as the tradition has not been attested before the 19th century.[8] Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow.[9] In some places the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, February 29, or to the medieval (bissextile) leap day, February 24.
According to Felten: "A play from the turn of the 17th century, 'The Maydes Metamorphosis,' has it that 'this is leape year/women wear breeches.' A few hundred years later, breeches wouldn't do at all: Women looking to take advantage of their opportunity to pitch woo were expected to wear a scarlet petticoat—fair warning, if you will."[10]
In Denmark, the tradition is that women may propose on the bissextile leap day, February 24, and that refusal must be compensated with 12 pairs of gloves.[11]
In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman's proposal on leap day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt.[citation needed]
In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky.[12] One in five engaged couples in Greece will plan to avoid getting married in a leap year.[13]

Would you be mortified, as a bloke, to be proposed to by your missus?

I quite like the compensation levies they had which is quite funny, and the waering of red petticoats as fair warning hahaha

I remember someone saying his friend was getting married, and that she had asked him, im bound to offend someone here, but I just cant think of anything more desperate than a woman asking a man to marry her, even if they use this leap year thingy ma jig as an excuse.

The silk gown seems quite appealing for a rejection though

 

[Kandy-Sugar]

Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway)

Age 5? What the.

Any woman who was smart would go up to someone she knew would say no so she can get free shit. XD

But yeah in my opinion it just doesn't feel right if the woman asks the man. I'd feel like a little bitch if I was the bloke and my Mrs proposed to me. >.< But that's just me. XD

 

[Bambi]

Also, who buys the engagement ring?

Marry me, now buy me a ring?

Not sure how well that would go down

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

in all seriousness, it wouldn't bother me that much. i think if you've gotten to that point of your relationship where one of you is proposing, there's a good chance you both know what the answer will be so i don't think it really matters who asks.

although who buys the ring is a good point