The idea of any sort of public proposal horrifies me.

This. I would have killed my husband for proposing to me in public. He has always been worried that his proposal wasn't romantic enough, but if he had done it any other way, I might not have said yes.

I think what used to be the whole Maryland section is one page now. I think, because I'm not sure if I found it!

Me either! I'm addicted to reading the paper in the morning otherwise I would have canceled it long ago.

The idea of any sort of public proposal horrifies me.

I would beat my boyfriend to death with the ring. And that can't be easy.

OTOH, at a party yesterday for The Boy's family, his dad told us -- TWICE -- "set a date." Both times he was chuckling when he said it, but it still left me with a Joey Tribiani "who farted" look on my face.

Um, Dad of The Boy? There's no need to set a date, as we ain't engaged. Also, you ain't the boss of us. Also? Even if you chuckle as you say it, as if to convey jocularity, it's still passive-aggressive and rude.

(I really love his family, including his dad, who is a big nerd after my own heart who laughs at my nerdy comments. And I know his dad is 71 and would like to see his youngest son (re)married before he dies [er, before dad dies, not son, although that's preferable, too], but first of all, his dad is in great health. The grim reaper ain't looming. Second, even if the intentions are good, pushing us is likely to result in the exact opposite of what he wants to see.)

Ok, big points and very very sweet -- but I cannot think of a more horrifying story to get a proposal at the end of.

I know, right? But the big points weren't so much for the showiness of it, but from the standpoint that he obviously knows her so well, he knew it was something she'd love.

I was proposed to in a bathroom.

I was proposed to in a bathroom.

Don't brag.

I'm trying to think of terrible places to propose....

In line at the DMV comes to mind....

I wasn't proposed to at all (nor did I propose). We were talking, we decided we should get married, and then we considered ourselves engaged. I think it's safe to say that a big showy thing would've resulted in a very loud "FUCK, dude, do you even know me at all?!"

But oddly enough, those points are the same points as Barb is giving the Broadway dude -- it's not the big production, it's the fact that he knew it was the right approach for them.

I was proposed to in bed. Not like that , just going to sleep and chatting one night.

The idea of any sort of public proposal horrifies me.

A public proposal would get a public response of "No and hell no" from me.

It's one of those things that is easy to avoid, IME/O-- these stories come up often enough that an offhand remark should be sufficient.