The tradition of women proposing on February 29 is said to date back to an agreement in the 5th century - which included a stipulation which gave men a warning that it could be about to happen

Although the expectation of men having to be the ones to get down on one knee is a bit old fashioned now, the tradition remains that leap years offer women the chance to take full control.

And fortunately for anyone getting sick of their man dragging their feet, 2020 offers the perfect chance for you to hurry those wedding plans along.

Although our calendars contain 365 days in a year, the earth actually takes roughly 365.25 days to orbit the sun - giving the need to include an extra day once every four years to keep things consistent.

One such day will occur this month when February is given 29 days as opposed to 28, and women around the world will take the opportunity to flip the traditional proposal on its head.

But how did it all start?

Women proposing on leap days is believed to date back to the 5th century and an Irish nun called St Bridget.

Sick of women having to wait around for their man to pull their act together and propose, she lobbied St Patrick to allow women to do it instead.

And she was successful. Ish. He gave her one day. Every four years.

But it's said that the agreement was considered a huge win and women were handed control once every 1,461 days.

The tradition goes that St Patrick weaved in a small requirement in the terms and conditions, designed to warn men who weren't keen on getting to the alter anytime soon of what may be about to happen.

Rules states that women had to wear breeches or a scarlet petticoat if they were planning on producing a ring - giving men advanced notice if they wanted to leg it.

Interestingly, a survey of 2,700 people by Lovehoney found more than a quarter of women said they would propose on a leap year.

With famous examples of women asking for their partner's hand in marriage including Bella Mackie and Radio 1 DJ Greg James, 27 per cent said they would do the same.

More than a third thought the whole idea was outdated and sexist, but 48 per cent were happy with the tradition.

Two-thirds of those asked said they would be happy to be proposed to on Leap Year Day - so what are you waiting for?

crackkhaus:
This one is not for Nigerian women.
Our women cannot propose to anyone EVER... Whether on leap year, frog year, or toad year, they cannot.

Just kill them instead.

Sixfeetbelle:

If I propose to you, would your answer be in the positive?

crackkhaus:

But we're not in a relationship, would that not be weird?

Sixfeetbelle:

weird is the new normal.

That aside.
Alright, assuming we're in a relationship, would you?

crackkhaus:

Absolutely, why not?

The only issue will be the timeline for the wedding, it may have to fit into my own financial schedule, since I'm still going to be the one to finance most of it even if you proposed.

Sixfeetbelle:

Your response shows your thinking is different and I commend that. (And yes, you will finance almost everything even if I proposed)


The reason I posed that question to you was to show that most men do not fancy being proposed to. They feel it takes away their 'man pride' if a woman proposes. They may even think she'll now be the one wearing the pants in the relationship cause of it, hence, they'll reject a lady if she does propose.

Our upbringing in this part of the world restricts certain western world behaviours, but, luckily, we're breaking out of the norm gradually.

crackkhaus:

Honestly, that bold text explains the rest of your post.

That right there is the real reason a lot of men don't fancy being proposed to by Nigerian women. It's not because it takes away our "man pride", it's because it comes off as you forcing our hand while still leaving the wedding expenses to us.

Remember, after you propose, it's still the man who will have to go to your family to buy the items on one certain list(s) like that.

Sixfeetbelle:


So, if we finance the wedding, would that make men feel better? Or should we finance the whole marriage, as well?

After all this is done, who now com be the man of the house??

crackkhaus:

Exactly, as you can see e no easy at all.

Respek your husbands, even if he decides to have a side-chic...respek him.

crackkhaus:
This one is not for Nigerian women.
Our women cannot propose to anyone EVER... Whether on leap year, frog year, or toad year, they cannot.

Just kill them instead.

Sixfeetbelle:


So, if we finance the wedding, would that make men feel better? Or should we finance the whole marriage, as well?

After all this is done, who now com be the man of the house??

Blu03:


Kill us instead??

crackkhaus:

Metaphor

Sixfeetbelle:


He should respek me too. Does he think carrying a child for nine months is easy?

As for him having a side chic because of this, I'll have a side boo too cause of the pregnancy

What is sauce for the goose...

You know the rest

crackkhaus:

....sauce for the gander.

No issue here anyway, as long as you will return everything he paid and bought under the guise of marriage requirements.. then your side-bobo is allowed.

Pregnancy is no favour to him though, na your pikin too.

Blu03:
most Nigerian men wouldn't agree. Don't mind them... If thier girlfriend proposes to them in public, they would be extremely embarrassed.

Which man would agree to wear an engagement ring??

Sixfeetbelle:

This is where I have issue with men. They keep thinking bride price is the woman's fault, forgetting that it is the kinsmen that came up with that clause. Even in the old days, it's still the kinsmen that required a man to wrestle with other men to prove his masculinity. Left for societal pressures and the need for a better life, women fit marry anybody as far as he makes our heart beat faster.

Luckily, we are going through a paradigm shift in marriages, so that those nonsense will end. I can't stand a man drumming it in my head everyday that he 'bought me' Am I a slave or a commodity?

Sixfeetbelle:

There's that also. Smh.

And even if she agrees to finance everything, most will not be comfortable with that idea. To them, it's a dent to their ego.

Cc crackkhaus

crackkhaus:

I doubt any sensible man actually says that..

Just know however that most are thinking it involuntarily, and usually act out based on it..

Why should he even be thinking about it?


As for the paradigm shift, you people should be fast about it abeg. The same way women are fighting against the patriarchy is the same way y'all should fight against these marriage rites that make you lot appear like commodities.
Don't fight against some and leave some, on the excuse that one is the fault of men.. lol.

Is it not still men responsible for gender inequality?
Fight all at once...

Sixfeetbelle:



For the gender inequality, Yes sir. We will fight everything, Sir. Just go and lie down on the couch and cross leg. We'll let you know when we are done, inu?