The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: Dixie*Darling on February 29, 2008, 02:20:42 AM
-
Leap Year has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage. In many of today's cultures, it is okay for a woman to propose marriage to a man. Society doesn't look down on such women. However, that hasn't always been the case. When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years. That day was February 29th.
St. Bridget's Complaint
It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.
February 29th in English Law
According to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage.
The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.
Sadie Hawkins Day
In the United States, some people have referred to this date as Sadie Hawkins Day with women being given the right to run after unmarried men to propose.
Sadie Hawkins was a female character in the Al Capp cartoon strip Li'l Abner. Many communities prefer to celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day in November which is when Al Capp first mentioned Sadie Hawkins Day.
Greek Superstition
There is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. Apparently one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.
http://marriage.about.com/cs/holidays/a/leapyear.htm
~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~
After almost 19 yrs of being divorced and 2 promises (w/rings) of marriage, I don't think even Sadie Hawkins day can save me!
Ladies:
Would you / have you ever asked a man to marry you?
Gentlemen:
What would be your reaction if a woman asked you to marry her?
-
Nothing I have had to ever worry or think about but guess I wouldn`t mind.
-
No. But let's say that I dropped enough hints to make sure that he did propose. :uhsure: :naughty:
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
-
I chased her till she caught me. :-)
-
Despite my marked history of aggression in the pursuit of the opposite gender, I'm not sure I would take that step to ask a man to marry me.
*TKay*
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
-
I guess it would depend on what my plans were for the next 40-60 years. And if she has land. My family only has swamps.
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
Oh.(http://209.85.12.232/html/emoticons/dry.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/pouty.gif)
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
Oh.(http://209.85.12.232/html/emoticons/dry.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/pouty.gif)
I'm sowwy! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug001.gif)
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
Oh.(http://209.85.12.232/html/emoticons/dry.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/pouty.gif)
I'm sowwy! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug001.gif)
I`ll :bawl: be okay.
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
Oh.(http://209.85.12.232/html/emoticons/dry.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/pouty.gif)
I'm sowwy! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug001.gif)
I`ll :bawl: be okay.
I guess I don't have a choice but to confess the truth in my own way:
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug014.gif)
-
I was raised with the belief that a man should propose to a woman, and I would prefer it happen that way, in my case. :)
Although, I would have no problem dropping lots of hints, just like Vivismom did. :lmao: ;)
Can I consider this a proposal then? :hyper:
:rotf:
Oh.(http://209.85.12.232/html/emoticons/dry.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/pouty.gif)
I'm sowwy! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug001.gif)
I`ll :bawl: be okay.
I guess I don't have a choice but to confess the truth in my own way:
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/hug014.gif)
(http://209.85.12.232/7417/2/emo/shy.gif)