Proposing on national TV: good or bad idea?

[Aaron Kashtan]

At halftime of the Fiesta Bowl yesterday, there was a promotional event where a woman tried to throw a football at a target. She missed, but as a surprise consolation prize, they brought out her boyfriend, who was serving in Iraq at the time. They hugged, and then he got down on one knee, and at that point I started booing in a loud voice.

I think that proposing to your girlfriend on national TV is a very lousy thing to do.

First, because it turns what should be a private moment into an extremely public spectacle. Second, because it deprives the woman of the right to say no. She was being watched by thousands of people inside the stadium, and by untold millions more across the nation. Therefore, if she had said no, the entire nation would have seen her as an unromantic killjoy. Anyway, she didn't even get the chance to answer for herself, because IIRC, as soon as the guy finished proposing, one of the announcers said "Congratulations to both of you."

Do you agree with me, or do you think that a proposal on national TV is a romantic idea?

[StoneGold]

At halftime of the Fiesta Bowl yesterday, there was a promotional event where a woman tried to throw a football at a target. She missed, but as a surprise consolation prize, they brought out her boyfriend, who was serving in Iraq at the time. They hugged, and then he got down on one knee, and at that point I started booing in a loud voice.

I think that proposing to your girlfriend on national TV is a very lousy thing to do.

First, because it turns what should be a private moment into an extremely public spectacle. Second, because it deprives the woman of the right to say no. She was being watched by thousands of people inside the stadium, and by untold millions more across the nation. Therefore, if she had said no, the entire nation would have seen her as an unromantic killjoy. Anyway, she didn't even get the chance to answer for herself, because IIRC, as soon as the guy finished proposing, one of the announcers said "Congratulations to both of you."

Do you agree with me, or do you think that a proposal on national TV is a romantic idea?

I think this is one of those things where you're taking your own personal feelings, and saying everyone else should share in them as well. Who says for them this should be a private and personal moment? For all you know, this is something they would have both been into.

[Dreadstar]

Yeah, I agree, sort of.

However, there are some people and situations where this kind of thing might be acceptable. You know, on a sign behind an airplane, a scoreboard, etc. Some folk would eat it up. I'm thinking the folk in the game last night were jsut that type.

But yeah, if I'd tried something like that with my ex, she'd have left me with a gaping exit wound at the next possible private moment.

[Donald M.]

When she was in college, a friend of mine had her then boyfriend (who, after living together for a few months she was a hairsbreadth away from dumping) propose to her in the presence of all of his friends and family.

She accepted the ring so as not to embarrass him in front of everyone, then tore into him the second they were alone. Apparently he broke down crying.

It's a matter of personal choice though. If you're thinking of proposing to someone, then you should know them well enough to know if they'll respond well to a public proposal.

If you don't know the answer, you probably shold avoid the Jumbotron method, and for that matter engagement for at least a bit longer.

[Paradox]

I think it's O.K., but you'd better be DAMNED sure she's going to say "yes" and DAMNED sure she's not going to have a problem with it if you do (voted "undecided" as nothing else really fit).

That said, if you're asking someone to marry you, you'd probably better know them well enough to answer such piddly questions easily.

EDIT: And I'll thank Donald M. to stay the hell out of my head! It's crowded enough in here already! You think? Yes, and you shut up, too! :p

[Typo Lad]

I made sure we were in a secluded spot before I proposed. I feel much the same way as you on this Tim.

That said, the jumbotron beats the "putting the ring on a bow and tying the bow to your maleness" option.

[Winslow]

I think it deopends on the couple.

What Donald M. and Paradox said . . .

I waited to propose until I knew my wife was ready and would say "yes." I was ready about six months before her.

[StoneGold]

That said, the jumbotron beats the "putting the ring on a bow and tying the bow to your maleness" option.

Now combine the two, and you've got a plan!

[Cei-U!]

I frankly frown on people who live their private lives in public. I'd have myself checked for brain damage if it ever occured to me to participate in such a thing. There's a weird exhibitionism/voyeurism at play in American popular culture that sometimes creeps me out. I sincerely wish we would stop worshipping at the alter of celebrity and relearn the lost art of minding our own ****ing business.

Cei-U!
I summon the nightmare!

[SPAfreak]

I frankly frown on people who live their private lives in public. I'd have myself checked for brain damage if it ever occured to me to participate in such a thing. There's a weird exhibitionism/voyeurism at play in American popular culture that sometimes creeps me out. I sincerely wish we would stop worshipping at the alter of celebrity and relearn the lost art of minding our own ****ing business.

Cei-U!
I summon the nightmare!

Which is funny because that's really why America was formed in the first place.

Add me to the Hell no column.

[StoneGold]

I sincerely wish we would stop worshipping at the alter of celebrity and relearn the lost art of minding our own ****ing business.
!

And yet, you insert yourself into their business saying they have no right to insert themselves into your business. If you're watching the game, you're already in a voyeuristic mode. Why should you care how someone else is playing a game of football? You don't like someone figured out a fancy way to get hitched? Change the f'n channel.

You're watching a football game. You've already accepted a bunch of schmucks trying to get your attention. And I'm not talking about TO.

[StoneGold]

Which is funny because that's really why America was formed in the first place.

Add me to the Hell no column.

Odd then, that we are guaranteed the right to free speech constitutionally, but not privacy.

[Cei-U!]

And yet, you insert yourself into their business saying they have no right to insert themselves into your business. If you're watching the game, you're already in a voyeuristic mode. Why should you care how someone else is playing a game of football? You don't like someone figured out a fancy way to get hitched? Change the f'n channel.

I do. Chill, amigo. If you recheck my language, I said "we" and "our." I'm well aware I contribute to it. And I was expressing a personal opinion, not a policy dictate. "I wish they would" is not a synonym for "I demand we make them."

Cei-U!
I summon the peace, man!

[Winslow]

Odd then, that we are guaranteed the right to free speech constitutionally, but not privacy.

Well, the Supreme Court changed that, but yeah, I get your point.

[StoneGold]

Well, the Supreme Court changed that, but yeah, I get your point.

I'm just saying, if anything, we're a nation founded on exhibitionism. What are you going to do, complain that Paul Revere woke you up yelling at night. Assuming he actually made the midnight ride. Every once in a while someone says he didn't. But in this case, it's more the myth that matters anyways. America wasn't founded on politeness. No "pardon me, but perhaps you would be so kind as to let us have our independance." No, it was founded on being enough of an irritating problem that it was worth more to the British to just let the colonies go than continue dealing with the irritation.