47% of Britons don’t think the man should have to buy a ring if the woman proposes
Leap Year Day on 29th February – is traditionally the one day every four years when women can turn the tables and propose to their men.
A new Leap Year survey has revealed that almost half (44%) of men in the UK would say ‘Yes’ if their partners proposed marriage this Leap Year, and 36% of them would like to be asked. Interestingly, British women are not as confident of a positive outcome were they to propose, with less than one third (31%) believing their partner would say ‘Yes.’
Also, 9% of women thought their guys would try to wriggle out of the situation by attempting to change the question, and 18% of men said they’d probably throw-up on the spot!
The survey of more than 1,000 female and male UK residents currently in relationships was commissioned by PopCap Games, creators of the world’s #1 puzzle videogame franchise Bejeweled®.
PopCap is further incentivising women to take destiny into their own hands and pop the question this Leap Year – with a one-of-a-kind diamond and sapphire Bejeweled-inspired ring worth £5,000 to be awarded to the most romantic woman in the UK and Ireland by the end of the month.
The survey revealed that the idea of women proposing marriage to men is not as rare as people might think. Twenty per cent of respondents claimed to know women who have proposed in the past, and 10% know women who are planning to take advantage of the Leap Year and propose to their partners this year.
For the most part, women prefer to take the traditional route up the aisle – with the man proposing marriage. When asked would they consider proposing if they were in a relationship for more than five years with no sign of a marriage proposal, 66% said no.
According to the survey, 42% of men and women felt the traditional proposal was best, but a sizeable 36% of men would like their partner to propose to them. Some 27% of men felt the traditional marriage proposal is outdated, compared to only 13% of women. Interestingly, 39% of people aged 55 and over felt it was outdated, compared with only 9% of 18 to 24 year olds.
So, if the better half of the couple proposes, who springs for the engagement ring? Some 49% of people surveyed believe the woman should give the man an engagement ring if she proposes, and 47% believe that the man shouldn’t be obliged to buy the woman an engagement ring. And just under 11% of men said they’d like their partner to propose so they wouldn’t have to buy her an engagement ring!
While rings were the most popular gifts for a woman to give a man if she proposes, the next most popular at 9% a piece, were a watch or sex.
Sixteen per cent of men felt sex was an appropriate engagement gift to receive, compared to just 5% of women. Incidentally, 7% of males would be happiest with a cash gift.
The survey also revealed that 29% of men would be embarrassed to tell their friends that it was their girlfriend who proposed.
How to Win the Bejeweled Ring
To celebrate the lunar-induced shift in matrimonial power, PopCap commissioned British jewellery designer Ben Day, who has fashioned collections for some of Hollywood’s elite, to create a bespoke ring inspired by Bejeweled. The result is a stunningly beautiful sapphire and diamond ring, featuring approx. 40 blue diamonds surrounding a spectacular blue sapphire set in 18ct white gold, which even Kate Middleton would envy.
To be in with a chance to win, PopCap wants to hear women’s stories on how they’ve gone the extra mile to secure the heart of their Mr Right. They especially want to hear about it if anyone has proposed or plans to propose on 29th February. One lucky loved up lady will be bestowed with the one-of-a-kind sapphire and diamond ring fit for a queen (or princess!).
The competition, which is open to UK and Irish residents over the age of 18, runs until midnight on Thursday, 23rd February and can be entered via Cosmopolitan.co.uk or Handbag.com.
Entrants simply have to enter their own romantic story or plan in 50 words or less and answer a simple question on Bejeweled. The winner will be announced on the websites on Friday, 24th February. Five runners-up will receive a Bejeweled goodie bag, including a PC/Mac version of the game and lots of money-can’t-buy goodies including a hooded sweatshirt, limited edition picture frame, and more.
